During the last presentation of the Volvo S90 and V90 had the chance to exchange a few words with the engineers and responsible for the brand at a global level. From these conversations, we were able to obtain views and information, interesting, in addition to intuit some of the keys to mark the line to be followed by Volvo in future years.
right Now, Volvo is a brand that is having great success with the veteran Volvo XC60, the leader of its segment in Europe and the all-new Volvo XC90, a success whose demand exceeds the production capacities Volvo. However, the brand has in mind to continue to grow and offer products increasingly more competitive which will enable them to reach an audience more broad.
Range of models: Without going into niches
we Already know that Volvo is not going to follow the line of other premium brands entering in hundreds of market niches. Volvo will have in its range with three product ranges: 40, 60, and 90, each with their respective passenger cars and SUV’s. For 2019 the Volvo XC90 will be the oldest model of the brand and that same year, we’ll see as it hits the first model 100% electric brand. Of face to the accumulated up until 2025, Volvo aims to sell a million cars electrified, that is to say, electric and plug-in hybrids. The mechanical hybrid will be present in all new models of the brand.
The big question that we still have many is whether Volvo will dare to take the step of launching a SUV large for the north american market. At those places the Volvo XC90 is a small model. The response from the product manager of the Volvo 90, Kent R Falck, was a “maybe”, perhaps, accompanied by a smile, which definitely leaves a door open to a model that itself would have potential in some regions, although not in Europe.
since then Volvo does not arise in the short and medium term, is the launch of lower models in the range 40, such as utilities, as well as higher models, and we could find a rival to the Mercedes s Class. right Now would be models difficult to pay for Volvo, as it is a brand that moves volumes lower than its main rivals and that it does not form part of a large automotive group with which to be able to split development costs among major brands. Anyway, as said several makers of the brand, never say never.
Engines Drive-E: you don’t lose your head with the power
Engines Drive-E three-cylinder
engines Drive-E Volvo are now one of the hallmarks of the Swedish brand. Have developed a family of engines in the modular diesel and gasoline, which we now know in their versions of four cylinders and 2.0 litres, with power outputs of between 150 and 320 horses. The new Volvo 40 will have too engines Drive-E, three-cylinder and 1.5-liter.
The main difference we find is that unlike other rivals, the options for Volvo are less powerful. For example, the Volvo XC90 D5 is the diesel more powerful with 235 HP, while the Audi Q7 has mechanical 3.0 TDI V6 with 218 and 272 HP, in addition to the SQ7 TDI 435 HP.
To the question of whether Volvo provides powerful versions to enter in this war of powers, Falck responded that Volvo will not enter into such an escalation of power. In its place will be launching gradually releases slightly more powerful engines, as it has done with the introduction of the system PowerPulse on D5. For Volvo, it is more important to to focus on other factors such as design, quality and, above all, the security.
we Also asked to the response of the north american market in regard to the engines Drive-E, which are the engines of displacements small for the uses of this market. The answer was clear: Volvo is selling more cars than ever. This new philosophy, with efficient engines, has allowed many customers who don’t buy SUVs for their high consumption have decided to do it. Yes it is true that in the states more rural the public still preferring the V8 engines, qualified by Falck as “dinosaurs”.
do Manufacturing in China?
it Is clear that the marketing of the Volvo S60 long wheelbase in the united States is all an experiment to analyze the reception of a vehicle “made in china” in a market as patriotic as the north american. Volvo are confident, and argue that, there is no problem of image, to follow the same standards as in the european factories. Many premium brands, like Apple, manufacture in China and have an enviable picture.
personally, I think that the problem of the productive capacity of Volvo could be solved by the manufacture of additional vehicles in China. In the end it would be something interesting for the parent company Geely, which is china, and it would allow Volvo to produce cars with a lower cost in labour.
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