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"This is not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it's also the most stunning. Not a bad combination is it. We are delighted to introduce the new XC60 to the GCC market. The XC60 crossover had its premiere showing at the international car show in Geneva in March 2008, with the first cars reaching dealers in Europe in autumn 2008. Now the Middle East has been introduced to this vehicle and we are very much looking forward to the feedback,"says Mr. Lex Kerssemakers, President Volvo Cars Overseas Corporation (VCOC), former Vice President Product and Strategy.
The 'Small Premium Utility' segment is growing quickly. Within the next few years, buyers will have at least ten crossover models to choose between. By the beginning of 2009, this segment was expected to expand by 75% to 443,000 cars.
"In order to succeed in that kind of competition, you have to stick your chin out and create a car that stands out from the crowd. The new XC60 bases its unique appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents," explains Lex Kerssemakers.
The big safety news is City Safety - a unique feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
Tomas Ernberg, Managing Director for Volvo Cars Middle East said, "We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision."
Six-cylinder turbo - and two turbo diesels
The new XC60 will initially be available with the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285 horsepower. All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard on all variants.
"Owing to its compact dimensions - the XC60 is 20 cm shorter than the XC70 and lower than the XC90 - it continues our range of slimmed-down car models with high energy efficiency," reveals Tomas Ernberg.
The chassis setting is aggressively sporty without losing anything in terms of comfort. Sitting behind the wheel of the new XC60 is in other words more of a driving experience, while the larger Volvo XC90 focuses more on providing a ride experience.
Target group with high demands on technology
The XC60 project has its sights set on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products.
Tongue in cheek, one might say that it's all about consumers who've grown up with the microchip as a natural supplement to their breakfast cereal. They're used to the immensely fast pace of development in the world of electronics - and every succeeding birthday has brought with it increased capacity in ever-shrinking gift packages.
When it comes to the choice of car, these consumers adopt the same view as they do for other lifecycle products, that is to say all the properties should preferably be integrated into one single attractive and intelligent package.
"One might say that this could be the C30 owner's next car. It's as sporty and exciting, but way more capable. An all-round car for the person who lives single in the city and for the young family taking the kids for a weekend of fun and adventure," relates Roula Beiruty, Marketing Manager Volvo Cars Middle East.
She adds, "We're aiming primarily at lifestyle rather than age. With the XC60 we are broadening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle. Like the Volvo C30, the XC60 plays an important role in our planned volume expansion strategy."
Equal allocation to Europe and North America
The sales target for the new XC60 is over 50,000 cars per year. Distribution between Europe and North America is unusually uniform: about 40% each. The remaining 20% is destined for the rest of the world. The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China.
"This car has a natural appeal in North America. Here in Europe it is the sporty personality in combination with the compact format that attracts new buyers, primarily women. The XC60 offers a feeling of space even though it is about 20 centimetres shorter than the XC70. The fact that both China and Russia are among the five largest XC60 markets is proof that these growing markets are now beginning to be really large. Both markets will now advance even higher up the sales league in the future," explains Lex Kerssemakers
The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Sales in Europe began during the second half of 2008, while sales in the GCC and North America will get under way in early 2009.
Posted by Rana Mesbah
