Volvo mounting German offensive

VOLVO is going after the Germans and it will be doing so with a wider line-up that will expand with a new model each year for the next six years. Last week, the Swedish marque unveiled a new version of the successful Volvo XC90 - the first all-new car since the manufacturer was sold by American giant Ford to Chinese carmaker Geely in 2010.

"In 2018 and 2019, the oldest model in the Volvo range will be the XC90," explains Keith Schafer, managing director of Volvo Car Malaysia, in Stockholm. "From this year onwards, there will be a new model every year to replace all the existing models."

Incidentally, Malaysia is one of Volvo's fastest growing markets in the world, although admittedly, it does so from a low base. Sales of its locally assembled cars are set to skyrocket 45 per cent this year to a forecast 750 units. Another strong market in Asia is Taiwan, which has doubled sales to about 3,000 cars from just five years ago.