Volvo is targeting the public sector as a key growth area in 2009, especially with the Swedish brand’s new range of low-CO2 Driv-e models.
“The public sector is very important for the Driv-e cars,” said Volvo fleet boss John Wallace. “We put more emphasis on the public sector last year and we’re seeing the benefits, volumes have grown massively this year.”
Volvo managed a huge 31.9% growth in the fleet arena last year, which Wallace puts down to a range of factors on top of the public sector growth. Last February the firm realigned the V50 (pictured) in terms of pricing and spec against the competition, and it has proved popular in R-Design spec in particular. Volvo has also introduced the R-Design trim to the entry level 1.6 diesel C30, and across the range two-thirds of buyers are selecting R-design models.
The company’s fleet service plan across several models that offered free service, maintenance and repair also proved popular according to Wallace.
Volvo‘s fleet boss is also hoping the front-wheel drive XC60 small off-roader will hit the spot with fleets that ban 4×4 vehicles. Production of the model that should also come in below the critical sub-161g/km threshold begins in mid-May.
