For immediate release
FRANKFURT (September 12, 2005) – With Volvo Car Corporation’s introduction of the second generation Volvo C70 Convertible, the company is optimistic about the new model’s future.
“It takes a generation to become an established player in the premium segment for open top cars,” says Volvo Car Corporation President and CEO Hans-Olov Olsson. “Having built a considerable body of knowledge and consolidating our credibility even further, we expect to double sales compared with the first generation’s best year.”
Sales of the first generation C70 Convertible peaked in 2004 at slightly more than 8,000 units. The annual sales target for the new C70 is 16,000.
The new Volvo C70 will be marketed worldwide. The largest market is the USA, which is expected to account for 50 per cent of the volume. The UK and Germany are also major convertible markets and the three countries will together account for around 75 per cent of sales of the new Volvo C70.
Sales of the new Volvo C70 will commence during the first half of 2006.
Two cars in one
Thanks to the retractable hardtop, purchasers of the second generation Volvo C70 can enjoy the car with the roof both up and down without having to make any compromises. Volvo is one of the first manufacturers on the market with a roof that folds in three sections.
“The C70 is also one of the first open cars in the premium segment with both a retractable hardtop and room for four adults,” says Olsson. “We feel this is an extremely attractive combination and we expect to appeal to buyers who face choosing between a convertible and a coupe. Here they have both cars in one. The touch of a button transforms an elegant convertible into an equally elegant coupe.”
Collaboration with Pininfarina
Volvo is responsible for the design of the C70, while the development and manufacture of the new open top model will take place in collaboration with the highly respected Italian company Pininfarina. Volvo employees from design, construction and purchasing have been on site throughout the entire development phase in Turin, Italy.
As with its predecessor, the new Volvo C70 will be built at the plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, which is now known as Pininfarina Sverige AB.
“We have a very strong team,” says Olsson. “Pininfarina is an excellent partner with considerable experience with convertibles. The facility in Uddevalla has also built up its production routines since the first generation C70 was introduced in 1996.”
First pure joint venture
The positive spirit is shared by Pininfarina: “The joint venture with Volvo Cars is an ideal form of co-operation for Pininfarina since both companies have a passion for design and a wealth of knowledge gained over many years,” says the company’s president, Andrea Pininfarina. “Up to now we have designed and built cars at our own plants, while the Volvo C70 will be the first car to be built by Pininfarina in another country. It is also the first time we have entered into what is a pure joint venture with a car manufacturer.”
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 43 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The company’s product range includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon, the S60 sports sedan, and the completely redesigned S40 sports sedan and V50 sportswagon. For buyers looking for more rugged versatility, the Volvo XC-line of vehicles that includes the XC70 and the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle.
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