Volvo Car Corporation has decided to stop its racing operations within the ETCC (European Touring Car Championship) and STCC (Swedish Touring Car Championship). The reason behind the decision is that the forthcoming season would have required significant financial commitments for building and running competitive new cars in the two series.
The reason behind the Volvo Car Corporation’s entry into international racing eight years ago through the BTCC in Britain was to enhance our image as makers of cars renowned not only for their safety but also for their excellent roadholding and handling properties. Motor sport is a natural step for a carmaker but it is a commitment that must be continuously analysed and evaluated against the achieved effects and incurred costs.
"The coming season would have required immense financial resources for the building and running of new and competitive cars for the two racing series," says Olle Axelson, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at Volvo Car Corporation.
The fact that Volvo is now leaving the ETCC and STCC does not mean that the company is withdrawing fully from motor sport. The Volvo S 60 Challenge racing series in Sweden will continue and Volvo Personbilar Sverige is also continuing its broad-based focus on the Volvo Original Cup, which the company has run for more than ten years now. Today, hundreds of drivers compete in the Volvo Original Cup, which incorporates elements of track racing, rally driving and rallycross.
