Is it wishful thinking or sound logic that by actually putting effort behind a long-stagnant core product will lead to significant sales growth?
Volvo has high hopes for the 2016 Volvo XC90 that goes on sale next spring, namely the idea they can reach 100,000 sales per year in the U.S. again.
Speaking to AutoNews, Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the company targets going back to its 100,000-plus levels in the U.S., and the introduction of the XC90 “is going to be a big chunk of it.”
Volvo hasn’t reached that level of sales in the U.S. since 2007, and through October is just at 47,823 sales. Up until 2007, Volvo was consistently topping 100,000 sales, peaking at 139,384 in 2004.
There’s a sizable portion of sales missing in 2014 because of the current XC90’s run-out, sales this year are off more than 32 percent from even 2013’s depressed figures. But the XC90 will have to sell at a rate its predecessor hasn’t since about 2008, as Volvo predicts a third of demand is destined for the U.S.
But there is hope. Samuelsson said almost 600 of the 1,927 First Edition XC90s sold online in September went to U.S. buyers – and sold out within an hour. Those top models sold for about $66,000, and Samuelsson told Automotive News Volvo may do Internet sales for future special editions.
By Zac Estrada
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