Image Gallery

The new Volvo V70 is poised to maintain its position as Australia's most popular luxury wagon when it goes in sale in May.

Volvo wagons have been favourites of Australian families for more 40 years, but rarely more so than now.

With a total of 1278 new Volvo V70s and Volvo V40s sold in the 12 months to the end of 1999, Volvos accounted for a massive 58.4 percent of the luxury wagon market while the nearest competitor, Audi, were able to garner only 10.8 percent.

"Now that we are about to introduce a family wagon that for the first time has been designed and built purely for that purpose, we are in an even better position," said Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Jan Eriksson.

"The new Volvo V70 is a unique model. It is rationally safe, flexible and spacious at the same time as it is elegant and dynamically fun to drive.

"Since it has been developed without any of the constraints inherent in siblingship with a sedan, we have been able to refine all the properties of a family car more than ever before."

The V70's popularity Down Under is reflected worldwide, emphasising the potential for the best wagon Volvo has ever produced.

The company is targeting increased sales with the new model across Europe and in the United States.

In the US, where wagon sales have been at the core of Volvo's business since 1957, the new model is expected to continue the manufacturer's dominance of the luxury family car segment, drawing buyers from the strongly-established mini-van and Sports Utility Vehicle (four-wheel drive) markets.

Wagons represent 30 percent of all Volvos sold in the US, while Volvo wagons account for 60 percent of total sales in the European premium wagon market.

The latest Volvo V70 will carry Volvo into the new millennium with great optimism, according to Tuve Johannesson, president and chief executive officer.

"Volvo Car Corporation is the biggest company in Ford's Premier Automotive Group, PAG. This means that we play a major role in Ford's endeavour to make PAG the leader in the premium segment.

"The two new cars that we are now unveiling (the Volvo V70 and Volvo V70 XC) play a significant role in these efforts. Not only because the Volvo V70 and Volvo V70 XC are important to Volvo Car Corporation in terms of volumes - together they will account for a sizeable proportion of the planned increase but also because these cars clearly indicate the company's future direction and intentions in terms of developing versatile estate cars.

"Wagons are in themselves an important part of Volvo Cars' soul. The segment was originally created by Volvo and, for many years, we have been the leading manufacturer of estates in the premium segment.

"We intend to retain this position - and advance it.

"I believe Volvo Car Corporation has a very interesting future ahead. With two strong new family cars which are both firmly anchored in our core values - safety, quality and environmental care - we are in the best possible position to succeed."

Australian luxury wagon sales and market share, year-to-date December 1999