Volvo’s SUV lineup is bound to gain a new member, the compact XC40, which has been already previewed by a concept that uses the same moniker.
Speaking to Autocar at the unveiling of the all-new V90 Cross Country, the brand’s research and development boss, Peter Mertens, said that the XC40 will be the first of the recent 40-series when it will arrive in early 2018.
Besides being another addition to the brand’s SUV family, the upcoming XC40 is also believed to be a landmark for the Swedish-based manufacturer, as it is expected to significantly boost sales.
Last year’s numbers show that Volvo is relying heavily on SUVs: out of 503,127 cars delivered globally, nearly 267,000 were Cross Country and XC models. The best-seller was the XC60, with 159,617, followed by the V40 hatchback, with 83,357 examples.
Volvo also managed to move 40,261 units of the latest generation XC90, 30,175 units of the XC70 and 23,274 V40 Cross Countrys, during the same time, while in the first six months of 2016, 51,810 units of the new XC90 found new homes, along with 10,316 examples of the V60 Cross Country. Sales of the XC60 and V40 Cross Country on the other hand slightly dropped, but it is understandable, since both are aging models bound to be replaced.
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