Since the acquisition by the Chinese automobile group Geely in 2010. Volvo is multiplying its successes, having managed to take a huge step to a high level both in terms of style, technology… and prices! In addition, and independent for a long time, the Swedish brand was bought by Ford in 1999, which integrated it into its PAG (Premiere Automotive Group) division, along with Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Lincoln and Mercury. This was created to “premiumise” the Ford group: the aim was to combine parts and costs from different brands to make them more profitable than each other. A false good idea that caused some to lose faith : we remember Jaguar’s sad period when the X-Type and XF shared their platforms with Ford and Lincoln models…

Back on top thanks to Geely

For Volvo too, The S80 and V70, which at the time took over the Mondeo platform, did not help clarify the brand’s positioning. The final blow was dealt by the financial crisis of 2008, which significantly weakened it: from 460,000 cars in 2007 In 2009, Volvo sold only 334,000 cars. Ford split in 2010 in favor of Geely, the rising star of the Chinese auto industry. This is a historical reminder to better understand how far Volvo has come… Almost 709,000 cars were sold in 2023! Under Geely’s watch, the brand has finally given itself the means to achieve its ambitions: new platforms (CMA, SPA), new unpublished models (S90, XC40) and a complete repositioning to finally approach the premium German manufacturers that Ford dreamed of…

Volvo is progressing everywhere

Only last year there was no shortage of it, brand sales increased in all markets! Europe remains where the brand achieves the highest sales, with 295,000 units sold (+19%), followed by China (+5%), the United States (+26%) and other clusters (+11%). Success related to electricity sales that became a hit in 2023. 59% of Volvos sold in Europe were electric or hybrid ! In addition to the C40 and XC40 Recharge, in recent months Volvo has increased the number of models: compact EX30, SUV EX90, minivan EM90, waiting for EX60 and ES90 (names still to be confirmed), later in 2025-2026. Meanwhile, despite this electrical shift, it’s still the XC60 that leads the manufacturer’s global salesand then the XC40 and XC90…

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