Volvo closes 2008 with an 18.3% drop in its sales

The year 2008 was a real challenge for the entire automotive industry, although many companies reported positive monthly sales figures, the truth is that due to the economic uncertainty and the global financial crisis, the final balance for 2008 shows that there were fewer sales than in 2007. Affected by the crisis, sales volume of Volvo Cars fell 18.3% compared with 2007, leaving the final sales figure at 374,297 units.

During 2008, Volvo presented new models that helped curb the fall in sales. The star model was the Volvo XC60 Crossover, which had a huge global impact and received numerous praises for its innovative city safety system. Then Volvo launched the DRIVe line, its eco range, with the launches of the Volvo C30, S40 and, most notably, the V50, presented at the Paris Motor Show and which became the best in its class for CO2 emissions.

Although sales of the new models, the stability of the automotive market in Russia and China, and growing sales in the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe helped improve sales figures, the drop in sales in the two main markets of Volvo, the United States and Sweden, resulted in the Swedish brand selling 84,026 fewer units in 2008 than in 2007.

In terms of quality, Volvo received awards in numerous countries throughout 2008:

Safety

USA – Award for Traffic Safety Achievement in City.

Russia – Golden Salamander for Safety

United Kingdom – Safety Technology Award within City.

Volvo S80

Thailand – Car of the Year and first place in Advanced Technology.

Thailand – Best Environmental Car of the Year.

Volvo V70

United Kingdom – Only cargo anchoring system.

Volvo XC60

Germany – Auto 2008 Trophy (Auto Zeitung).

Ireland – Crossover SUV of the Year.

Austria – Auto Revue Award.

France – Innovation Award for Safety.

Volvo XC70

Russia – Car of the Year.

Philippines – Best Luxury Crossover.

Volvo XC90

Philippines – Award for the car with the best safety features.

Russia – SUV of the Year.

Thailand – SUV of the Year

Volvo C30

Malaysia – Best Design Awards.

Brazil – Best Buy (Quatro Rodas Magazine)

United States – Interior Design Award.

United States – All Star Award.

Volvo C70

Russia – Best Convertible

Source | Volvo Car Corporation