Brand reignition --[Reported by Umva mag]

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Recharge models are at the forefront of Volvo PHL’s presence boost

By Dylan Afuang

WHILE VOLVO revised its plans to offer only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030, the XC40 and C40 Recharge — the Swedish auto marque’s BEVs and its latest models to arrive here — appear to lead the brand’s presence boost in the Philippine market.

By 2030, Volvo aims that 90% of its sales will comprise plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) or BEVs, with 10% to be accounted for by mild hybrids (MHEVs) that merely use electricity to supplement a combustion engine. Citing sliding demand for BEVs, many European car makers have also expressed a similar shift in their electrification targets.

Upcoming models from Volvo Philippines would potentially follow this new goal, company Sales and Marketing Director Cyrus Dan Catapang told “Velocity” during the brand’s “Recharge the Drive” event held at its showroom along Pasong Tamo in Makati City recently. The affair showcased to potential customers the XC40 and C40 Recharge BEVs.

The XC40 Recharge is the BEV version of the most compact and affordable Volvo in the local market, which is also available here in gasoline-hybrid form. The C40 Recharge is virtually the same vehicle, but sports a sleek, sloping roofline. These crossovers are available here in P8 Recharge Twin Motor guises (P3.99 million for the XC40, and P4.190 million for the C40).

Both Volvo crossovers are equipped with brand hallmarks, such as advanced safety engineering and gadgets, and sustainable interior materials, and what their model designations suggest, powered by electric motors mounted on their front and rear axles that spin the XC and C40 Recharge’s four wheels. The cars boast a range north of 500km.

The Volvo Philippines official shared that the company’s traditional customers are warmly considering the latest Volvo cars and their new means of propulsion. The distributor also aims for its customers retain their loyalty to the brand, establish a better presence in the local premium vehicle market, and improve its after-sales services.

“Our marketing strategy for this year and for the coming years is to rebrand Volvo,” Mr. Catapang responded to a question from “Velocity.” “We promise to be more visible, (for example) through ads and social media.”

He added, “We will also renew our relationships (with established Volvo customers and have them) renew confidence in us.” The company plans to add more retail and servicing sites soon. Currently, Volvo Makati is the brand’s sole dealership and service center in the country.

During a brief test drive of the C40, we saw that Volvo still makes comfortable seats, and that the brand still prioritizes users’ ease of operation, owing to the car’s intuitive infotainment screen that enables access to the majority of the vehicle’s features. All drivers and passengers, meanwhile, will appreciate the C40’s seamless power delivery, serene ride, and refined cabin.

For safety, the Recharge cars come with adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist, Blind Spot Information System, 360-degree camera, traffic sign recognition, rear collision warning, run-off mitigation system, and slippery road alert system. Volvo boasted that the cars’ cabins and batteries are protected by an “advanced structure and safety cage.”

Other models in the Volvo Philippines’ lineup are MHEV versions of the compact XC40 and XC60 crossovers, and full-size XC90 SUV and S90 sedan. Interested customers are invited to contact Volvo Sales at 0967-172-9366 for more information.

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