Strong US numbers for Volvo – nothing to cheer for – Swedish Dagbladet

photo: Magnus Hjalmarsson Neideman

Volvo cars has increased its sales in all markets during the first half. According to the company’s latest quarterly report, the US is one of the markets that are going well.

However, the increase from low levels, in a longer perspective, US sales still nothing to cheer for. Last year, Volvo sold as many cars in Sweden and in the United States.

In the early 2000s, was Volvo’s US sales of well over 100,000 cars per year. After a major decline has now begun to nibble at the market again and has now reached more than 70 000 a year.

– Volvo has dropped in the US market for a number of years. It has to do with the competitors have come up with a lot of other options, it is denser competition now, says Martin Shield as vehicles analyst at the School.

– It’s a big country, the supply is brutal and prices low. US customers have a lot to choose from.

A spokesperson for Volvo Cars, who wishes to remain anonymous, still feel that they are pleased with sales in both China and the US, despite the giant markets therefore only deliver numbers in Sweden-size.

– in Sweden, we have been selling cars for many years, but in China, we are establishing ourselves now and build the brand. But we are increasing every year, so it goes in the right direction, says the spokesperson.

The slump explained with Volvo in the 2000s underwent a sale from Ford and the product therefore the investments did not materialize. While the entire automotive industry went through a baptism of fire. It is hoped that the new models will get back the lost years. Automotive Analysts Martin Shield agrees.

– Volvo is in the midst of a period of change, steaming on with three locomotive: the XC90, V90 and S90. They have been received very well by the market and is now raising the brand.

He says that Volvo now established itself as a premium brand. Last year we reached our target to sell half a million cars over the full year, and the trend is in the right direction for the car brand.

– There is much to suggest that one can make about the old trip again, says Martin Shield.

Most indications then that Volvo will reach the target of half a million cars sold this year, and possibly increase some. The second half of the year tends to be a bit better in terms of sales and so far is the number of over 250,000.

– Our goal is to hit a new record this year, says the spokesperson at Volvo.

So many cars, Volvo cars has been selling for years

Sales first half of 2016 (equivalent to six months in 2015 in brackets).

• Sweden 36 455 (32 460]
• Other västeruropa 102 396 (93 398)
• USA 36 654 (29 367)
• China 40 688 (38 292)
• Other markets 40 370 (38 767)

Source: Volvo Cars quarterly report