The Hindu Business Line : Volvo India to launch six car models

Chennai, March 27 Volvo Car India is in the process of introducing six new models in the Indian market in phases. The company will also initiate dialogue with about 80 candidates who have applied for opening dealerships in eight cities.

Speaking to Business Line the Managing Director of Volvo Car India, Mr Paul de Voijs, said the company has three dealerships in Chandigarh, Delhi and Mumbai and delivery of the cars has started. At present, the company is looking at opening up dealerships in 8 cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Jaipur, he said.

A new dealership would need to spend about $200,000 (Rs 80 lakh) to equip the showroom and service centre, apart from investments in land and building. Since the real estate prices are soaring, Volvo would prefer to give dealerships to those who own land in prime locations, he said.

Last year, the company booked orders for about 100 cars for two models – S80 (sedan) and XC 90 (crossover) in three engine configuration each.

The company hopes to launch 6 new models, V50 and V70 (station wagon), C30 (3-door coupe), C70 (2-door coupe convertible), XC60 and XC70 (both crossovers). Of these XC60 and C70 are likely to be launched soon, he said. The company hopes to sell 500 cars in the current year.

By 2009, Volvo would have 14 dealerships, covering a large part of the country, he added. “For the moment we bring them (Volvo cars) as CBUs and after at least one year of experience, we will make up our minds on whether we need to do assembly here or not,” he added.

Adventure competition

Meanwhile, Volvo India today announced the finalists of the Volvo Adventure Competition (VAC) 2008, which is meant for rewarding practical environmental action being taken by young people in the local community.

Bharat Mata School from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh has won the first prize for their project ‘No stagnation no mosquitoes’ and will compete in the global finals at Geteborg, Sweden. They are followed by the runners-up team SBOA School, Chennai for their project ‘Traffic Control’, who will participate as the global forum as observers. The winners will proceed to Sweden to participate in the global finals.

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