Interesting? So what are we left to choose from in terms of buying a new Volvo in 2013? S60, XC60, XC70, S80, and XC90? Is that it? No more C30? No V40 or Cross Country V40? No V60? What am I suppose to look for when I'm a customer looking for a Volvo in the sub 30s? VW or Subaru? Thanks Volvo.

 

The problem is its hard for Volvo to build profitable car that sells at a low price point in the US market; Volvo needs a cheaper manufacturing location (North America, Africa?) . I imagine if they imported the new V40 it would be no cheaper then the XC60 and they would never move enough volume at a low price point when people would prefer the SUV 9X out of 10. I do argue that Volvo might be able to sell enough loaded V70 T6 at a high price point to justify bringing them in- maybe market them as V70R (doing due diligence to the suspension tuning and Polestar tune or better standard) but at low volume the price might exceed 55-60K to justify bringing them in. Look at how few Mercedes E -Class wagons are sold in the US but at a very high price point.

 

I don't see Volvo NA being all that profitable without an assembly plant, here. They need a partner for making small vehicles too. Until this happens, bigger more expensive Volvos are the only thing making profits... right?

 

I don't see Volvo NA being all that profitable without an assembly plant, here.

I think they could if they went further upmarket and pulled higher profits per unit. My understanding is Volvo is taking the next generation X90 upmarket. I still think they need a RWD platform to build a 5 series,GS,XF,E-Class competitor and an upmarket convertible.
I think higher end products will also have a halo effect helping move the perception of the brand upmarket.

 

Hi

The C30 will be produced in Ghent until Jun 2013. So this maybe just a US move.

Next C70 production moves to Ghent as well

It would appear (based on recent interviews) that the XC40 mini SUV isnt on its way.

It maybe the C30 isnt replaced either, giving way to the higher volume V40.

I would have thought a 3 door V40 would be in the works though. Maybe called C30 again?

Volvo is also building a factory in Brazil. SOP 2015

 

Well, it looks like I have egg on my face.

In any event, would the Brazil factory be in a position to supply the United States, or would that not be feasible? With so many cars being made in Mexico, you'd think someone would have considered this to be an option for the US market.

 

Well, it looks like I have egg on my face.

In any event, would the Brazil factory be in a position to supply the United States, or would that not be feasible? With so many cars being made in Mexico, you'd think someone would have considered this to be an option for the US market.

No it wouldn´t be.
Volvo has planned to built Knock-down kit factories to avoid high import taxes in two emerging countries.
Indian and Brazil.

For example. A highly taxed XC90 cost 5 000 000 inr in India = 95 000 USD.

The kits will come from european or/and chinese factories and suppliers and are 100% destined for the local market.

Volvo has been running a Knock-down kit factory since 1968 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Maddening!

Absolutely ridiculous that we are not getting a replacement car. I could sell a ton of V40's and V60's for every S80 I sell.

 

Absolutely ridiculous that we are not getting a replacement car. I could sell a ton of V40's and V60's for every S80 I sell.

10-4 with that good buddy!

 

Absolutely ridiculous that we are not getting a replacement car. I could sell a ton of V40's and V60's for every S80 I sell.

That is correct if Volvo NA had any idea how to properly market these cars. My wife just purchased a used V50 AWD because she wanted a small wagon. The first couple of days she took it to work, several of her fellow employees commented that the V50 AWD was exactly what they looking for when they bought their compact sized crossover SUV's, but didn't know Volvo made such a vehicle. One had recently traded a larger Ford SUV on a new Ford Escape, that was over $30,000. When my wife told her that Volvo no longer sold new V50's and that is why we bought a used one, she said that was too bad as she liked the V50 over her new Escape.

Based on this small sample, it appears that Volvo marketing missed the mark in getting awareness of its small AWD wagons out there. Thus the low sales. We do not live in a large metropolitan area, so that could be some of the problem. But more importantly, does Volvo NA know that there is a market in V40, V60 XC40 sized vehicles! My wife's co-workers want upscale vehicles, not econo-boxes. The Ford Escape owner is a RN and bought her vehicle fully loaded with options. She just wanted something upscale, small and easy to get around in than her former larger SUV, had AWD while not look utilitarian as a Subaru and less expensive than the optioned out BMW X series vehicles that the BMW dealer had. The Escape was a compromise in meeting her needs.

So if this profile fits a larger sample size, can Volvo sell a small AWD wagon type vehicle that looks upscale and not like a rugged/utilitarian SUV for less money than a decently optioned BMW X1 or X3. if so, why are they not marketing such a vehicle in the U.S.?

 

Volvo Cars Global is owned/controlled by a non-Swedish entity.

We would be dreamers to think that this entity is not calling the shots.

Platform economics is the name of the game - minimize the number of platforms and maximize the number of models per platform.

As build facilities are updated/improved/constructed assembly procedures are also modernized.

Older platforms are phased out, existing platforms are modified and new platforms are brought online.

RIP C30/70.

George Dill

 

I'm looking for a replacement for my wagon. And with Volvo, it's either a used wagon or the expensive XC60. The more I look, the more I find myself eyeing VW, Ford, and Subaru. 4-door GTI, Golf R, Focus, Escape, XV...

 

Yup - the VW Jetta/Passat diesel wagon is the current rage.

To stay with Volvo and get into a previously-owned wagon the best bet may a dealer-certified XC70.

If you really must have a C30-type vehicle visit your local Ford dealer.

George Dill

 

My dealer told me Canada s getting teh V40. Any truth to this?

 

I don't know the answer for sure but I would be incredibly shocked if they brought it to Canada and didn't bring it to the US. It wouldn't make any sense. If they're going to spend the money to bring the car to Canada then they'd probably bring it to the larger US market as well.

 

Yep i got the same info as you did. They are no longer making c30. maybe they will come out with somthing new ?

 

I just worked the Seattle Auto Show on Wednesday. The red C30 R-Design we had there got more looks and people sitting in it 5 to 1. I know looking and sitting in it is different than actually buying one but it still gets alot of attention.

Great timing Volvo!! F@#%!

 

Oh! Oh! Does it come in All Wheel Drive?

 

It is slightly bizarre that half way towards ceasing production of the C30, Volvo go ahead with the electric model. Perhaps if there's a new C30, it may be all electric.