Press Releases

Volvo Racing Strategy

 

Background

Volvo Racing:

 

 

Strategy is to match showroom success at N.A. racetracks

What's a five-time Le Mans winner and former Formula 1 racer doing behind the wheel of a Volvo S60 R sedan?

 

"Intending to bring Volvo success on the track to match its record sales performance," says Derek Bell, lead driver of the At Speed Motorsports team that will field four Volvo S60 R sedans in the 2004 SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Series.

 

A nine-race series with the possibility of a 10th event being added later, the series makes its lone Canadian stop at Mosport International Raceway on Aug. 6-8.

 

Volvo Cars has recently shifted into top gear when it comes to both product array and market position, says Vic Doolan, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America.

 

"In less than four years, we have expanded our S80 sedan line; launched the most popular Volvo ever - the S60 including the high-performance S60 R - brought to market Volvo's first SUV with record-setting results; upgraded our wagon line while celebrating 50 years of wagon heritage; and launched a totally new replacement for the Volvo S40 sedan along with a new wagon, the Volvo V50," Doolan said. "Today, Volvo and its dealers are reaching new buyers in new ways - while reminding established owners or former customers why they see value in the Volvo brand."

 

With a rich heritage in world championship rallying, European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), the credentials for Volvo to show its mettle on the racetrack are not in doubt, Doolan says.

 

And with ETCC and BTCC titles already part of this motorsport résumé, North America was a natural new opportunity for Volvo Cars of North America to show its latest performance car package - the Volvo S60 R - in a retailer-backed program with At Speed Motorsports.

 

"With the arrival of the 300-horsepower S60 R, the V70 R wagon and the new S40, we think it's about time that Volvo rejoined our racing brethren and inject a bit of Swedish flair to the World Challenge series," Doolan added. "With Derek Bell and teammates Bob Miller and Paul Gerrard racing identically painted Volvos, we'll promote Volvo's racing heritage and our latest engineering concepts."

 

The cars will sport a racing livery designed jointly by the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Centre in California and At Speed Motorsports in Maryland.

 

One thing can be counted on, Doolan says. Volvo Cars of North America will never claim that the decision to 'go racing' is to help develop the brand. "While it may sound good to say that racing innovations filter down to the consumer, this is unlikely to be the case with this campaign. Our customers already know Volvo to be a serious brand and the premier developer of safety technologies. We also make beautiful cars that in the right hands can perform at world-class levels and we think it's time to remind our dealers, our customers and potential buyers that Volvo is a spirited company that loves to compete. Where better place to show our mettle than at premier circuits across North America," Doolan concluded.

-30-

Contact:

Roger Ormisher

Volvo Cars of North America

1 800 970 0888

Keywords:
Product News
Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Cars's international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.