Fleet sales key to Volvo’s 60,000 sales target

Business and fleet sales are to play 'an integral part' in Volvo Car UK reaching its 60,000 sales target by 2020.

The 60,000 target is the UK’s contribution to Volvo’s global ambition of selling 800,000 cars annually by 2020 and doubling its European market share.

Volvo’s UK business and fleet sales grew from 22,065 in 2013 to 28,563 in 2015 and the manufacturer believes it has a "strong platform" to grow sales over the next four years with the launch of the new S90 in December, further growth in XC90 sales, the introduction of T8 Twin Engines and "healthy residual values".

The new engines form the basis of Volvo's global electrification strategy which will see plug-in hybrids introduced across its entire range.

"These will be key new models for the corporate sector and will help us achieve our growth targets,” said Selwyn Cooper (pictured), head of business sales at Volvo Car UK.

As business sales rise Volvo has been investing additional resources in its dealer development programmes and its Business Centre network. It has a team of regional business sales managers in place, supported by the VCUK Business Centre in Harrogate. Recent initiatives, such as the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE), are also benefiting the brand’s relationship with business drivers when they take their car in for service, according to Volvo.

Cooper added: “The Volvo brand is in a good place in the UK. The strength of our product range with its low emissions and tax efficiency is winning friends with fleets, SMEs and user choosers alike.

“Volvo’s business offering provides fleets with the bespoke service they require. We are continually trying to improve this area of business and have introduced a Fleet Hub to our main Volvo Car UK website, developed from our award-winning Co-Pilot programme, and by communicating with our existing fleet customers through our dedicated fleet magazine, VQ.

“We are also making more of our Swedish heritage which differentiates us from our premium rivals which customers like. This approach is supported by cutting edge technology and class leading safety features that are synonymous with the Volvo brand."