Volvo Cars’ sales momentum remained strong in 2019 after the company posted an impressive 11.3 per cent growth in global sales for the first two months of the year, compared with the same period last year. The company sold a total of 93,863 cars in January and February.
The considerable sales growth in the first two months was led by the strong performance of Volvo’s award-winning SUV range, spearheaded by the XC60, and followed by the XC40 and the XC90. The company’s newest cars, the V60 estate and the US-built S60 saloon, also contributed to the increased volumes.
In February, Volvo Cars sold a total of 43,184 cars – up 5.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.
The company’s European sales grew 12.9 per cent in the first two months of 2019 to 49,195 cars, compared with the same period last year. The double-digit growth came on the back of strong demand for the XC60 and XC40 SUVs, and the new V60.
In the UK, Volvo sold 1,705 cars in February, up 48 per cent on the same month in 2018. Volvo also retained its position as the fastest-growing premium brand in the UK, with a market share of 2.5 per cent for the month.
In China, sales grew by 2.2 per cent to 18,473 cars in the first two months of 2019, compared with the same period last year. The growth was driven by the locally assembled XC60 and S90 models. In February, Volvo sold 6,516 cars, down 0.2 per cent compared to February 2018.
In January and February, US sales reached 12,489 cars, up 5.4 per cent compared with the same period last year. In February, total sales reached 6,635 cars, up 5.6 per cent. The XC60 was the bestselling model in the region during the month, followed by the XC90.
A detailed regional break-up of sales is given below.
|
February |
January-February |
|||||
|
2018 |
2019 |
Change |
2018 |
2019 |
Change |
|
|
Europe |
22,510 |
23,000 |
2.2% |
43,571 |
49,195 |
12.9% |
|
China |
6,531 |
6,516 |
-0.2% |
18,068 |
18,473 |
2.2% |
|
US |
6,283 |
6,635 |
5.6% |
11,850 |
12,489 |
5.4% |
|
Other |
5,606 |
7,033 |
25.5% |
10,880 |
13,706 |
26.0% |
|
Total |
40,930 |
43,184 |
5.5% |
84,369 |
93,863 |
11.3% |
In February, the XC60 was the top-selling model, with sales reaching 12,630 cars (2018: 10,308), followed by the XC40, with total sales at 8,176 cars (2018: 1,580 units), and the Volvo XC90 at 5,752 cars (2018: 6,607 units). The Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country sold 4,196 units (2018: 6,109 units), and the new V60 estate sold 3,849 units in February.
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Volvo Car Group in 2018
For the 2018 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 14,185 MSEK (14,061 MSEK in 2017). Revenue over the period amounted to 252,653 MSEK (208,646 MSEK). For the full year 2018, global sales reached a record 642,253 (571,577) cars, an increase of 12.4 per cent versus 2017. The results underline the comprehensive transformation of Volvo Cars’ finances and operations in recent years, positioning the company for its next growth phase.
About Volvo Car Group
Volvo has been in operation since 1927. Today, Volvo Cars is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world, with sales of 642,253 cars in 2018 in about 100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999, when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was acquired by Geely Holding.
In 2018, Volvo Cars employed on average approximately 43,000 (39,500) full-time employees. Volvo Cars’ head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars’ head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company’s main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu and Daqing (China), while engines are manufactured in Skövde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China), and body components in Olofström (Sweden).
