Volvo’s true fleet sales grew 20% in 2019, underpinned by significant increases in sales to both SMEs and large corporates.

Volvo’s comprehensive plug-in hybrid line-up saw PHEVs account for 24% of the company’s fleet sales in Q4 2019

The rise saw the brand register a total of 17,035 cars in the true fleet sector last year – which excludes Motability, rental, retailer demonstrators and internal cars. This played a major role in Volvo Car UK achieving its best overall sales year for 29 years; the carmaker registered a total of 56,208 cars, representing a 12% increase on 2018.

The major rise in true fleet sales has been supported by the firm’s continual evolution of its Business Sales strategy as well as its investment last year in a team of Virtual Sales Managers. This initiative is aimed at SMEs and sees each Virtual Sales Manager work hand in hand with customers to identify their individual vehicle needs; some 60% of the cars sold through the team in 2019 were to customers new to the brand.

Steve Beattie, head of business sales, Volvo Car UK, commented: “The restructuring of our Business Sales team towards the end of 2018, together with the launch of our team of Virtual Sales Managers last year, has paid great dividends. Meanwhile, our comprehensive product range – including our unique-in-market full line-up of plug-in hybrids – is successfully meeting the needs of today’s customers who are increasingly looking to the future by reducing their environmental impact.”

In fact, plug-in hybrids accounted for 24% of the company’s fleet sales in the last quarter of 2019 while the imminent arrival of the XC40 T5 Twin Engine will help Volvo build on this success in 2020. The launch of its first all-electric car will also provide further incentives for businesses to transition to plug-in vehicles.

Steve Beattie concluded: “2019 has shown us that despite market challenges, Volvo Car UK can make significant progress because we are helping our customers make the right fleet choices. As we move into the new decade, our objective stays the same – to make life easier for our business customers.”