Volvo Cars has finally seen its plans for a return to strong growth in the US realised. An 18% YoY rise in August to 5,870 registrations compares to a 10% drop in China to 5,574. A strong order bank for the new XC90 is one of the main reasons for the return to form in what had for decades been the brand’s best global market.
For the year to date, China is still almost 10,000 units ahead of the US market for the Swedish company, the tally being 49,698 versus 40,854. In fact, despite the big improvement last month, Volvo’s home market is still ahead of the US, with sales in Sweden having now reached 41,018 thanks for a 19% rise in August. The new XC90 might be gaining popularity as production ramps up and exports to more markets commence, but the XC60 remains the best selling vehicle globally, with 9,595 sold cars (2014: 8,695). In second place is the V40 and its Cross Country variant. Combined deliveries for the two reached a total of 6,394 cars (2014: 6,212), with the S60, S60L and S60 Cross Country in third position with 4,567 registrations (2014: 5,251).
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The comparison isn’t fair but it’s fascinating to note nonetheless that the XC90 had worldwide sales of 14,619 in the year to the end of August 2014, while the XC90 II is yet to reach that number in 2015, its total being 14,039. Production is not yet fully underway, with R Design and PHEV variants yet to reach showrooms, for example. With worldwide sales in excess of 14,000 units in fewer than six months, the new XC90 is clearly off to a good start. Moreover, deliveries to key markets such as the US and the UK are only just beginning. In August, Volvo delivered 2,787 units of its high priced, high-margin top model. That augurs well for the future, and the firm’s determination to eventually become self-funding.
