Volvo Expands Into Wagons, Crossovers

Volvo is getting ready to roll the red carpet andupcoming Volvo vehicles.
welcome the newest wagons and crossovers into itsThe Volvo XC60 is about the same size as the BMW
clan. The new Volvo XC60 crossover is set to arriveX3 or Acura RDX. It boasts outstanding features like
in 2009. By that time, the automaker will be having 5the glass roof and a newly styled grille, a new shifting
wagons or crossovers. However, Volvo will not bemechanism, a mechanical tail gate, a much larger
stopping there because it intends to make furtherVolvo symbol, and 20-inch rims.
expansions.Armstrong said that such a vehicle would be a logical
The automaker is contemplating on moving bothmove for people who entered the Volvo brand with
upscale and downmarket from the existing lineup ofthe Volvo C30 hatchback or S40 sedan. As for the
the Volvo vehicles V50, V70, XC70, XC90 and XC60.Volvo V90, Kerssemakers said it is "high on my wish
This information was divulged by Volvo's toplist, but we have to be realistic. There's a limit to what
executives at the North American International Autoa small organization can do."
Show. "Volvo is well-known for its versatility," saidThough the automaker is expanding into wagons and
Steven Armstrong, Volvo Car Corporation's COO.crossovers, it said that one segment it will not enter is
"We were producing crossovers before the term wasminivans. "The XC90 is our seven-seat interpretation,"
even invented. There are still plenty of opportunities toKerssemakers said. "We're happy with it. Our
fill in gaps with new things."customers are happy with it." Kerssemakers also
It can be recalled that Volvo has created a luxuryconcluded that Volvo needs to ensure that its current
wagon concept for the 2003 Geneva auto showlineup is profitable before it can expand into new
called the Versatility Concept Car. Said concept, ifarenas. "All those variants cost a lot of money. But it is
produced, will be called the Volvo V90. Volvo also iseasier to cancel or reduce volumes of a vehicle than
studying a crossover smaller than the Volvo XC60,to suddenly have to play catch-up."
said Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo Car senior viceVolvo has built several wagons and crossovers
president of brand business and product strategy. "Ifbefore. One of which is the Volvo 850, a compact
we were to further expand our model range, likely itexecutive car which is available in both sedan and
would be in the V or XC range."station wagon. Volvo 850 parts mated to the very first
The Volvo XC60 Concept was revealed at 2007front-wheel drive vehicle to be exported to North
North American International Auto Show. Said vehicleAmerica create a fabulous impression on the
will share same Ford C1 platform technology with theautomaker. In 1998, the Volvo 850 was modified and
Land Rover Freelander. The vehicle should not berenamed the S70 (sedan version) and V70 (station
confused with the Volvo XC50 which was the firstwagon version). These vehicles were replaced by the
name used for the vehicle. The Volvo XC60 deliversVolvo S60 and Volvo V70.
brand new styling and design direction that mirrors