Chicago, IL (February 9, 2005) – For the second consecutive year, the Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) Overseas Delivery program has topped the European Delivery segment. Consisting of rivals Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Saab, Volvo delivered 2,327 vehicles in 2004, recognizing an impressive 14.7 percent increase over 2003. For 2004 Volvo topped Saab by 2,105 units, Mercedes-Benz by 935, and BMW by 98. "This year was one of the most challenging ever," commented Lasse Magnusson, Overseas Delivery Manager. "To be the best in this competitive marketplace is no small task. But we feel the Volvo program offers the best value with the right line-up of vehicles."
In addition to an outstanding 2004, this year is kicking off with a great start as well. For January, 2005, the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program is up 46 percent over the previous year. This marks the best January sales in the program's history.
The key to the Overseas Delivery Program's success is, according to Magnusson, that it offers a program that is superior to the competition. Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program takes care of the customers from the beginning to the end, in line with the Care by Volvo philosophy. To that end, Overseas Delivery works closely with the Volvo dealer network to ensure that the retailers understand the competitive advantage of offering such a program. "Recent studies show that as many as 70 percent of our Overseas Delivery customers are purchasing their first Volvo and that 42 percent of our customers would not have purchased a Volvo if we didn't offer the program," commented Magnusson.
Flexibility remains a strong factor in Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program, giving owners the opportunity to customize their trip to their need. But they may also opt for one of seven other pre-planned "Discover Scandinavia" driving tours that range in length from three to 11 days. Since deliveries are made right at the factory, the program makes it possible for consumers to custom build their Volvos.
Through the program, buyers of any new 2005/2006 Volvo receive two free round-trip SAS airline tickets to Europe where they may take delivery of their car at any one of 12 designated locations. Deliveries taken in Volvo's home city of Gothenburg, Sweden, will have the added luxury of a complimentary night's lodging at the SAS Radisson Hotel in Gothenburg, a unique delivery experience, Swedish meatball lunch and a tour of the manufacturing plant.
In an effort to exceed customers' expectations, Volvo continuously modifies the program. A highlight in 2003 was an exclusive S60R/V70R driving school at Volvo's proving grounds outside Gothenburg that was offered to the first 20 customers. In 2004 Volvo Overseas Delivery continued to build on this great concept by offering an S60R trip to Formula 1 at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Belgium. This travel package included 2 business class tickets, 5-star hotel nights, Premium race tickets valid for 3 days, a visit to the Jaguar paddock, driving on Autobahn and more. Both events attracted an enormous amount of interest and created a lot of positive buzz in the market about Volvo Overseas Delivery. For 2005, Volvo's Overseas Delivery is planning another S60 R/V70 R trek; this time the lucky buyers will get a chance to sit trackside at the historic Nurburgring race course in Germany for the European Grand Prix.
VCNA, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for over 75 years. The 2005 Volvo Cars model line-up includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the all-new V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan – including the award-winning performance sedan – S60 R and the performance wagon version – V70 R; the flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and, the C70 convertible.
Contact:
James Hope
Product Communcations
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
(800) 970-0888
www.volvocars-pr.com
