For immediate release
TORONTO, April 1, 2003 - Strong retail activity and the popularity of all-wheel-drive models helped generate sales of 1,125 Volvo vehicles in March, an increase of 31.4 per cent over the 856 units sold in the same month of last year, Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. announced today. It is the best March sales performance since 1973.
Total vehicle sales for the first quarter of 2003 reached 2,345 units, an increase of 20.6 per cent over the 1,945 units sold in the first three months of 2002.
The delivery of more than 250 Volvo XC90 SUV models, record XC70 sales pace, strong S60 AWD performance and the continued momentum of S40/V40 all contributed to the accelerated March results.
"It's clear the market for all-wheel-drive vehicles has strength far beyond the recreational buyer," said Paul Cummings, president and chief executive of Volvo Canada. "Certainly, the appeal of XC90 is different from the appeal of XC70, yet they both sell extremely well. The S60 AWD has different appeal again. Our retailers understand the possibilities in this market and have been quick to embrace them."
March was the second-best sales month for the company in the past 20 years.
Volvo Cars of Canada is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 42 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The 2003 Volvo vehicle line includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70, exotic C70 convertible, the sporty S60 sedan, compact S40 and V40, and the award-winning new Volvo XC90 sport utility vehicle, described as "the next generation SUV."
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Contact:
Doug Mepham
1 877 975 1572 office
416 727 4543 mobile
doug.mepham@sympatico.ca
Media website: www.volvocars-pr.ca
