Projo Cars Blog

If you're wondering why Ford, which recently sold its Jaguar and Land Rover units to India's Tata Motors - may be thinking about selling its Volvo unit, consider the high-end Swedish manufacturer's disastrous sales numbers so far this year.

Indeed, in July Volvo's sales were down a staggering 46.3 percent. That's second only to the Hummer's sales, which were off more than 60 percent. Year to date, Volvo's sales are down 19 percent.

Ironic, isn't it? Volvos tend to be driven by the meek - liberal, Democratic and green - while Hummers are definitely Republican vehicles, brash and unconvinced by the global warming bleats of Al Gore et al.

But the bloom is off both, it seems.

I guess however much money you have, you will draw the line somewhere and maybe the Hummer crowd has finally gotten tired of shelling out so much money for an off-road monster for on-road driving.

As for Volvo, it's way behind the eight-ball on bringing a green vehicle to market. While it runs diesels in Europe, we have yet to see one here and it is not clear whether they have ramped up their existing diesels to be legal in CARB states like Rhode Island.

As for some of its latest models, they are just not cutting a very green image. Take the new XC70 which I perused recently. It certainly is stylish with high belt lines and a busy face, but a combined 17 miles to the gallon just ain't going to make it in these times with most folks - let alone the meek, green Volvo driver.

I know. I'm one.

- Peter C.T. Elsworth

 Tags  Auto industry sales Environment General Motors Hummer Volvo

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