The market decreased, but Volvo increased. XC60 One-Two-Three

Sales of imported cars decreased, but Volvo sold more. Volvo ranked third in imported car sales in September. The flagship model, the XC60, ranked second in overall sales of imported cars and first in sales of imported SUVs, receiving a ‘one-two-three’ report card.

3rd place in imported car sales.

Imported car sales in September were 22,565 units, down 3.4% from the previous month. The market situation was so bad that in the top 10, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Chevrolet increased, while the remaining brands fell all at once. Volvo quickly overtook Volkswagen, Audi, and Lexus and ranked third with 1,555 units. It grew by leaps and bounds, showing a growth rate of 44% compared to the previous month and 77% compared to the same period last year. The towing vehicle that brought Volvo to third place is the XC60.

2nd best seller: XC60.

With 899 units sold in September, the XC60 was the second best-selling model following the Mercedes E-Class. It narrowly beat the BMW 3 Series, which sold 868 units. The XC60 increased by a whopping 248% compared to the previous month.

No. 1 in sales of imported SUVs.

If you narrow it down to the imported SUV market, the XC60 is number one. It has been recognized in the market as the most competitive SUV. Being at the forefront of the most competitive midsize SUV market means that consumers have recognized its value. Volvo explains that it is especially popular among individual customers in their 30s and 40s.

The XC60 is Volvo’s global best-selling model, enjoying great popularity in markets around the world. It was selected as World Car of the Year in 2018 in recognition of its dynamic design, interior reflecting human-centric philosophy, cutting-edge safety technology and convenience specifications, and environmentally conscious powertrain.

In Korea, the XC 60 has a lineup of five trims across three powertrains, including the gasoline engine-based mild hybrids B5 and B6, and the plug-in hybrid T8.

The secret to the popularity of the Volvo XC60 is its unwavering philosophy of prioritizing safety and a unique localization strategy.

The vision of zero serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents is the source of Volvo’s overwhelming competitiveness. By publicly promising that no one will die or be seriously injured in a traffic accident while driving a Volvo, Volvo has raised its brand value of safety to the highest level, and customers are responding enthusiastically. This is the biggest reason why consumers who prioritize family safety choose Volvo.

If the vision of zero serious injuries is the decision of Volvo headquarters, the localization strategy of the infotainment system is Volvo Korea’s decisive move. Volvo Korea has significantly increased Volvo’s competitiveness in Korea by making large-scale investments in navigation and infotainment systems, which are pointed out as the biggest weaknesses of imported cars.

It is evaluated as a ‘big smartphone’ by applying ‘TMAP Infotainment Service 2.0′, the industry’s highest level of cutting-edge connectivity service. Through ‘T Map Infotainment Service 2.0’, Volvo customers can overcome the inconveniences experienced by most imported car customers and enjoy the highest level of infotainment service in Korea. It supports 15 years of free wireless updates, so you can always keep the feeling of a new car.

There is a reason for Volvo’s growth. The entire imported car market is taking a breather after going through adjustments, but Volvo is increasing sales regardless of the market trend. Volvo’s strength in the imported car market is expected to continue for the time being. As can be seen through the XC60, Volvo’s competitiveness is still overwhelming. The September report card speaks volumes about this.

Jong-Hoon Oh yes@autodiary.kr