• Investment World
• eWorld
• Brand Line
• Mentor
• Life
• Brand Quest
• The New Manager
• BL Club
• Smartbuy

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Cross Currency

• Rates
  
  

Shipping

• Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources
• In Focus
• In Depth
• Events 2007

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• The Hindu ePaper
• Business Line
• Business Line ePaper
• Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

Our Bureau

Kochi, Oct. 4 Volvo Car India, a division of Ford Motor Company, has drawn up a major marketing plan for the Indian region by deciding to open 12 dealerships across the country by next year.

The company will open its fifth dealership in Kochi to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, which will call at Kochi Port, the first Asian Port, in December, Mr Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Car India, said at a press meet here on Saturday.

The company, which currently has four dealerships in the country, has proposed to sell 500 cars in the current fiscal.

After the opening of the first dealership in March, it had sold around 100 cars in the country. He also clarified that the company has decided to absorb the extra cost on account of rupee depreciation.

Currently, there are no plans to open a manufacturing facility in the country as the company will study the market before taking such important decisions.

The luxury cars of Volvo are in the range between Rs 38-52 lakh and the luxury segment is growing in all emerging markets, he said.

Mr Voijs, who was here in connection with the Volvo Ocean Race, said that the company would showcase special edition cars to celebrate the race.

The new Volvo Ocean Race car edition encompasses three models: Volvo V70, Volvo XC70 and Volvo XC90 in ocean blue and electric colours. Besides, a pavilion will be set up at the Ocean Race village at Willingdon Island to exhibit all products of Volvo, which included cars, trucks etc, he added.

“The Volvo Ocean Race reflects the values that our customers look for when they choose a car. Its all about an active lifestyle, adventure and passion. In short its living life at the extreme,” he said.

It is the first time that India is hosting such a prestigious sailing event and Kochi will be the only port of call in the country.

The seven yachts participating in the race will arrive at Kochi in December and will stay for 10 days before starting leg three to Sentosa Island in Singapore, he said.

More Stories on : Outlook | Channels and Franchises | Cars

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line