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Volvo Cars has reported record sales for the first half of 2018 of 317 639 cars, an increase of 14.4% compared to the same period last year.
The robust first half performance places the company firmly on course to report another year of record sales for the full year. Volvo Cars reported sales of 571 577 cars in 2017.
Steady growth abroad
All the key regions of the United States, China and Europe reported steady growth during the six-month period.
READ: Volvo launches the new S60 – the first Volvo car made in the US
The US grew 39.6% on the back of the bestselling XC60 and XC90. Overall volumes in the first half of the year were 47 622 compared to 34 102 in the same period last year.
China, Volvo's largest single market, grew by 18.4% on strong demand for the locally-produced XC60 and S90. During the period, sales hit 61 480 compared to 51 914 in the corresponding period last year.
XC40 and XC60 lead the way
Europe reported solid 5.7% growth in the first half to 164 480 cars compared to 155 653 in the same period in 2017, driven by demand for the new XC60, the 90 Series cars and the new XC40 small SUV.
Globally, the new XC60 continued to be the best-selling model in the first half of the year with 88 786 units sold (2017: 829 units), followed by the XC90 with total volumes at 47 658 units (40 186 units) and the Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country at 41 588 units (48 554 units). During the first half, the S90 generated volumes of 30 977 units (17 346 units).
The popularity of the XC40 continued during the period with the compact SUV recording total volumes of 23 741 units in the first six months.
Volvo SA has shown a similar trend with a 13.7% increase for the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017.
Maruszewski said: "Locally, Volvo is on a strong growth curve – our sales figures in June this year are almost double that of June 2017.
Image:Wheels24/Sean Parker
Greg Maruszewski, MD Volvo Car SA, said:"With an excellent product line-up, improving dealer network, offers such as guaranteed buy-back and our own very competitive insurance and rentals plans, we’re offering SA buyers the value and quality they expect from a luxury brand – our 13 7% increase so far."