- Volvo is getting out of the subscription business on both sides of the Atlantic.
- In the United States, Care by Volvo quietly ended the service on August 1.
- The service promised flexibility with no long-term commitments.
Car subscriptions were once billed as the next big thing and some offerings were pretty appealing as you could easily switch vehicles. This meant you could get a crossover for winter and a convertible for summer.
However, a number of programs have been dropped in the past few years. GM’s ‘Book by Cadillac’ was killed in 2018, while the ‘Mercedes-Benz Collection’ shuttered in 2020. We can now add ‘Care by Volvo’ to that list.
More: Care By Volvo Adds More Vehicles To Subscription Program
Auto News reports the subscription service has been scuttled on both sides of the Atlantic. While the exact specifics vary by market, the US program reportedly ended on August 1.
The automaker didn’t say why they decided to drop their subscription service, but Volvo Car USA National Media Relations Manager Russell Datz told the publication the move allows them to “focus on our core customer offers and the coming introduction of new products, [and an] increase in operational efficiencies.” Volvo also left the door open for a possible return as subscriptions are only paused “for the foreseeable future.”
The Swedish brand has largely scrubbed references to the program, but we discovered a support page from April that touted flexibility and the lack of a long-term commitment. It also noted subscriptions included a 1,250 mile (2,012 km) per month allowance, insurance coverage, and maintenance.
While many subscription programs were axed over low use, Care by Volvo was reportedly profitable in the United States. Some dealers were also fond of the program and one told the publication that subscriptions accounted for 10% of his business and were a great way to introduce customers to the brand.