WE all thought everyone wanted a Range Rover.
Turns out we’re wrong.
More people want a Volvo.
The Swedes have now overtaken Land Rover with 2024 sales rocketing 33 per cent to 65,000, their best result since the Eighties.
Schysst.
Meaning: Cool, nice, fair.
We buy more Volvos here than they do anywhere else in Europe – including Swedenland – and the hugely-popular XC40 is almost certain to end the year inside Britain’s top ten.
Here’s ten minutes with UK boss Nicole Melillo Shaw.
Impressive first year in charge, Nicole. What kind of magic have you worked here?
“We’re in a good place. First, we launched EX30 in March which is a very different car and appeals to a new audience.
“People who probably haven’t thought about Volvo before.
“That’s a building block. So now we have strong foundations with 30, 40, 60 and 90.
“The XC40 continues to grow year after year. It’s just a phenomenal car. Everyone seems to love it. And then we opened up in Motability as well.”
What can we expect from Volvo in 2025?
“We will have a full year of EX30, plus the EX30 Cross Country, which has a different look and feel to it. Cool car.
“We have the EX90 which we’ve just launched today, a refreshed XC90 hybrid and then, at the very end of the year, ES90.”
Has Volvo’s plan to go electric from 2030 been cancelled?
“It’s been softened. It was 100 per cent of all new cars produced by Volvo would be electric. Now it’s been softened to 90 to 100 per cent globally, on the basis that we need to be flexible with consumer choice.
“We recognise that not everyone wants an electric car yet. We have got the ability for consumers to pick petrol hybrid or electric and that’s a really good place to be when people are still making their mind up.”
You’re a mum of two – what’s your perfect Volvo?
“I have my yellow EX30, which I can fit my girls in, but I see it as my space, whizzing around in my small car.
“The family car is the XC90, which is just perfect because my little one still needs quite a lot of stuff, and it’s so versatile.”
We have the EX90 which we’ve just launched today, a refreshed XC90 hybrid and then, at the very end of the year, ES90
UK boss Nicole Melillo Shaw
What did you drive before you arrived at Volvo?
“I turned up for my interview in an Evoque! Evoque had all the Victoria Beckham credentials and things people were drawn in by. But actually when I drove a Volvo it was a totally different experience.”
I’m not expecting you to launch a bright pink EX90 . . .
“My daughters would love that.”
. . . but the fact Jaguar has axed F-Pace, E-Pace and I-Pace to reboot itself as a high-end electric car brand, does that open a door for Volvo?
“When I look at what our consumers consider, it is much more Audi, BMW, Land Rover territory. But everything is an opportunity.
“I’d be happy for them to come our way. We’ll see.”
And you’re reintroducing the iconic Volvo estate, V60 and V90?
“It is our heritage car and the response has been fantastic.
“The demonstrators have just arrived in dealerships.”
Thank you, Nicole.
Henceforth Saint Nic.
