Volvo Outlines Ambitious Fleet Growth Plans
The carmaker achieved a 20% global sales increase to 449,225 during 2011, and is aiming for 800,000 units by 2020. In the UK, dealer business sales increased 8.5% last year, with a 21% increase in orders during the final quarter compared to 2010.
Volvo Car UK’s corporate operations manager Selwyn Cooper said the company was re-thinking the way it spoke to fleet customers, taking an individual approach to suit different companies and the roles of their fleet managers. A new fleet marketing manager has just been appointed, working in the marketing team, and a manager concentrating on wholelife costs will be announced in the coming weeks, working with contract hire and leasing companies and residual value setters.
The initiative will also be backed by a major product offensive. This year, the manufacturer will launch the 49g/km V60 Plug-in Hybrid and a V40 five-door premium C-Segment hatchback in Europe. Cooper said it was aiming for conservative sales figures and targeting company car drivers, with the V40 allowing them to offer a full range to suit single manufacturer policies.
Also beneficial for boosting its fleet presence, Cooper added, was Volvo’s recent announcement that it will spend a third of its R&D budget on reducing carbon emissions. Future models, starting with the next XC90, will use a scalable platform architecture allowing all cars to be built on the same production line, while modular engine designs will help reduce manufacturing costs and boost fuel economy.