Volvo North America Reports January Sales Drop

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, reported 7,819the versatile Volvo V70 wagon and rugged Volvo
sales in the United States for the month of January.XC70; the new Volvo C70 - the convertible with the
Compared to the figures reported last year for theinnovative retractable hardtop, and the all-new Volvo
same month, the numbers are down by 12 percent.S80.
Overall Volvo sales for North America includingVolvo is not losing its confidence in its lineup. The
Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, were 8,628. TheJanuary sales drop could be recovered in the coming
number is 11 percent down compared to the start ofmonths. This is the very reason why the automaker is
2006. Volvo Canada sales dropped by 4.5 percentconcentrating on marketing strategies to make the
with 571 units sold while Volvo Mexico sales increasednew lineup sell better.
by 15.5 percent with 238 units sold.The Ford Motor Co., where Volvo brand belongs, also
Volvo Cars of North America, which is based in Irvine,reported a sales decline by 19 percent compared to
California, is a subsidiary of the Volvo Car Corporationlast year’s figures. The decline was primarily
of Goteborg, Sweden. The company providesattributed to the reduction in sales to daily rental
marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and trainingcompanies by 65 percent.
support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United"All of us at Ford are focused on restructuring our
States, and oversees Volvo operations in the marketsbusiness to be profitable at lower volumes and
of Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.offering more of the products people want, including
Volvo is famed for manufacturing cars with safety inmore cars and more crossovers," said Mark Fields,
mind. “Cars are driven by people – the guidingFord's President of The Americas. "We are focusing
principle behind everything we make at Volvo,more of our attention on retail customers and reducing
therefore, is and must remain – safety,” saidsales to daily rental companies sharply. Our customers
Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson - both arebenefit from this plan because their vehicles' residual
founders of Volvo.values will improve - a trend we already are seeing
“Every year is a road safety year at Volvo.”with our newest products."
That is the tagline of the automaker. And it expressesAccording to the Automotive Leasing Guide, “The
vast commitment to safety. As a fact, a quick sojournresale values of Ford's newest products have
to the past could tell how the automaker has beenimproved by as much as 11 percentage points with
seriously taking its commitment to automotive safety.Ford closing the gap on many Asian competitors.”
The track record includes 75 ground-braking safetyThe residual values have also improved 2 percentage
innovations since 1927. From the innovative Volvopoints compared with the prior model year for the
brake pads, airbags, seatbelts, to other car systems -2007 Ford Fusion sedan. Sales have also been 6
the automaker is determined to contribute the best inpoints better for the 2007 Lincoln Navigator, 9 points
auto safety features and technologies.better for the 2007 Ford Expedition and 11 points
For the 2007 model year, Volvo introduced thebetter for the 2008 Ford Escape. Ford's new 2007
award-winning new Volvo S40 and its wagonEdge crossover has resale values higher than Toyota
counterpart the Volvo V50; the award-winning VolvoHighlander and Nissan Murano. Ford, along with all its
XC90; the sporty Volvo S60 sedan - including thebrands, is striving hard to recover from the debilitating
award-winning performance sedan; the Volvo S60 Rloss.
and the performance wagon version - Volvo V70 R;