Category Archives: Motoring news

Executive, Motoring news, Volvo

Volvo powers ahead with sales

Leave a comment
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin
Volvo XC40 is the best seller in the UK

Increased market share in 2021

Swedish car giant Volvo has powered ahead in 2021, despite the global pandemic affecting car sales and raw material shortages worldwide.

Volvo Car UK recorded growth in both its new car sales volume and its market share in 2021.

In total, 48,260 new Volvo cars were registered in the UK, an increase of four per cent on 2020’s figure, outperforming the market as a whole, where volume grew by one per cent. As a result, the company’s market share rose from 2.85 to 2.93 per cent.

Central to this performance was the success of Volvo’s fast-expanding Recharge range of electrified – plug-in hybrid petrol-electric and pure electric – models: with sales more than doubling to 15,376 units year-on-year, these accounted for 32 per cent of all Volvo’s UK sales in 2021. Order books show that proportion rising to more than one third (37 per cent) of the total, reflecting the momentum of growth in customer demand for low- and zero-emission cars.

This strong UK performance has contributed to Volvo Cars’ global growth. Worldwide, the business saw its sales rise by nearly 6% to 698,693 units; international Recharge model sales increased by 64 per cent compared with 2020.

The XC40 compact SUV was again Volvo’s UK best-seller – its total sales of 25,242 units reaffirming it as the country’s most popular premium SUV for a second consecutive year. The XC40 was also the third-best-selling plug-in hybrid car of all in the UK in 2021. The mid-size XC60 and large luxury XC90 SUVs held second and third places in Volvo’s rankings, with 10,131 and 7,221 sales respectively.

The high demand for Volvo products extended to the pre-owned market, with the Volvo Selekt Approved Used Car operation recording 32,401 sales – up 12% on 2020’s business, despite reduced supply.

Matt Galvin, Volvo Car UK Commercial Operations Director, said: “This continues to be a challenging time for the automotive industry, but these excellent results demonstrate how the strength of our products and the way we are adapting our business are inspiring customer confidence. Having seized the initiative with our Recharge electrified model range, and by progressing towards all-digital car sales, we are reaping the rewards of innovation while preserving the qualities and values that are central to our brand.”

Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, said: “It is hugely rewarding for everyone at Volvo to see their hard work and dedication delivering this strong sales performance. My thanks go to them, and to the growing number of consumers who are making Volvo their preferred choice. I am confident that the coming year has the potential to deliver greater rewards as we expand our Recharge portfolio and continue to evolve business models that address new consumer preferences for accessing mobility.”

For more information on the Volvo range, and to use the online configurator, please go to www.volvocars.co.uk

Motoring news, Volkswagen

VW Amarok takes on the world

Leave a comment

No matter whether it be in South Africa or Australia, pick-ups represent an approach to life and without them certain tasks would be impossible to master. When faced with large loads, challenging country tracks or off-road terrain, everyone is happy to have a pick-up they can rely on.

The Volkswagen Amarok has thus, for example, been used for wildlife preservation in South Africa since way back in 2011, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is a partner of the Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA) in its important rhinoceros protection work. 

Completely new vehicle with “clear Volkswagen DNA”

Looks good, and is highly capable: the new Amarok not only has a completely new appearance inside and out, but in future will also have even more extensive equipment on board. “The Amarok makes possible what in many places appears impossible at first sight: it makes things easier for its users by assisting them in their work and everyday lives,” says Dr Lars Krause, Brand Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “That’s because the Amarok provides solutions that enable our customers to achieve their goals – especially when things get difficult.” 

Now in its third generation, the new vehicle has significantly more driver assistance systems and will impress customers with its connectivity. The Amarok will, from 2022, feature innovations that have not been seen before in this segment. And it will still, of course, not be deterred by any rough terrain. 

As Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ all-rounder, the new Amarok impresses with its compelling lines and its overall appearance. “The striking front, and above all the defining X design clearly distinguish the new Amarok and emphasise its claim to be leading the way,” confirms Albert-Johann Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “We’ve given the strength and power of the new Amarok an unambiguous expression – with clear Volkswagen DNA, inside and out.” This shows the confidence of the model. 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Amarok has been in series production since 2010. The premium pick-up used to be made in Hannover and will continue to be built in Pacheco in Argentina. The newest version will also be built in future in the South African city of Silverton. Over the last decade, more than 800,000 vehicles have been sold globally, solving challenges for their owners and drivers on many continents. 

In the southern hemisphere, the vehicle – the only one to date with V6-cylinder diesel engines to make a name for itself in pick-ups’ so-called B segment – is still going strong. In Europe it will again be possible to order the Amarok as a new vehicle from late 2022.