Volvo to continue making sedans, estates

Volvo has confirmed it will revamp its long-standing ‘S’ saloon and ‘V’ estate models, despite SUVs now accounting for 75 percent of its total sales.

• Volvo C40 Recharge SUV could lead to coupe body styles in the future
• Electric cars to start focusing on higher energy efficiency
• Plans to start manufacturing over 1.5 lakh EVs next year

The firm’s global bestseller, the Volvo XC60 SUV, sold more units (1,62,600) in the first three quarters of 2021 than the S60, V60, S90 and V90 combined. “Yes, the [S and V] lines will be replaced with something even more attractive to consumers,” said Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson. “We need lower cars with a more conventional body size, but maybe a little less square [than previously]. These low cars will be in addition to our high-positioned SUVs. Stay tuned.”

When asked if the shape of the Volvo C40 Recharge SUV would lead to more coupé-inspired Volvos, Samuelsson said, “Yes and no. Cars will be less boxy in future, when we need to have lower air resistance. You could call it coupé-ish. We talk a lot about range in electric cars, but I think we will start looking at energy efficiency, and, of course, air resistance will be very central to that.”

Last year, Samuelsson told our sister publication Autocar UK that the Swedish carmaker will increase its line-up of SUVs, while cutting back on traditional saloons and estates. So Volvo traditionalists will be glad to hear that the V and S lines will continue in some form. However, they are unlikely to carry the V and S designations, as Volvo confirmed that it will give future models names, rather than alphanumerics.

Samuelsson is set to step down as Volvo CEO in March, to be replaced by ex-Dyson Group CEO Jim Rowan. He will also leave Volvo's board of management, but continue to serve as chairperson of EV performance brand Polestar.

Volvo is also shifting its production priorities. It currently builds 15,000 EVs annually, but by autumn next year that capacity will increase to 1,50,000 EVs. On its aim to have 50 percent EV sales by 2025, Volvo’s chief financial officer Bjorn Annwall said, “You need customers who want EVs, and we’re fully confident ours do. You need great cars, which we have.”

Do you think it makes business case for Volvo to continue manufacturing sedans despite its SUVs’ popularity? Let us know in the comments below.