Volvo may add new models in the US to help the struggling dealers

Volvo says it will provide support to its struggling dealers in the United States by fortifying its vehicle lineup, increasing margins and raising marketing spending. Doug Speck, global head of marketing, sales and customer service, said at the Geneva auto show that Volvo will decide next
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trmckin - 3/12/2013 10:55:40 PM

+2 Boost

Probably should start with not going backwards with their current designs that are offered in the US?

jeffy210 - 3/13/2013 7:53:37 PM

+1 Boost

Ya think? Bring back the C30 and C70 for starters. And possibly a compact S40 replacement. Geely has gimped the brand so much in styling and cuts it's lost the potential it had only a few years ago.

mini22 - 3/14/2013 12:56:44 PM

+1 Boost

Volvo has a few problems on more than one front.First the C30 failed to generate enough sales due to only offering a 3dr version of it.It was also priced closer to an Audi A3 than a VW GTI.Another fail was that Volvo could have offered AWD as an option but chose not to do so.Audi offers AWD for the A3 and Golf R.Their reason for not bring the V40 from Europe is that it is too expensive a platform to compete. Of course Audi is bring a 4dr sedan version of the A3, BMW has the 1 series and Mercedes is going with a FWD compact Cl250. The V40 directly competes with this models in Europe. Yet the Euro market has severly contracted and the general thinking is that it's market will not trun around for at least another couple of yrs.Geely is developing a small car platform but will not be available for a few yrs.So you have to figure 2016 at the earliest. I think Geely and Volvo are making bad business moves. Fuel economy is very important and so is the compact near luxury market. Volvo is missing out. A 4dr sedan version of the V40 priced in A3,CL 250, and 1 series price range offering DI 4 cylinder, diesel and hybrid offerings are what US Volvo dealers need to offer for improved US dealer volume.The so called(just guessing here) S40 or S50 (based on the V40) and S60 would offer a solid product against BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Acura etc. along with the slightly restyled S60. Further a crossover based on the V40 would further solidify Volvo's product line. Volvo tried to compete with the Golf GTI and Mini Cooper S with the C30. Had they expanded and improved the C30 in suspension and positioned it higher against Audi and BMW in the US with improved interior and 4dr it might have had a very different sales trajectory than it did.Too bad.