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NEWS
Volvo struggles with demand for V60 Plug-in
Oz launch date for diesel/electric wagon pushed back as factory grapples with European ordersVolvo's highly regarded V60 Plug-in Hybrid is unlikely to show up in the local market in the immediate near future.
The factory is working full-tilt to build enough cars merely to meet the unexpected rush of orders in European markets.
"The V60 Hybrid in its current form... obviously we would like to have [it], but given the demand in Europe at the moment, it's been prioritised for markets over there," said Volvo Australia MD, Matt Braid, during the launch of the model year 14 S60 and V60 earlier this week.
"We've got both hands permanently in the air for it, so we are still negotiating at this stage, but obviously, as it is ramped up in volume [for] the 2014 model and beyond, that's where there could be an option down the track."
It's a nice problem to have for the prestige brand globally, but it poses a problem for Volvo's local arm. Aussies are averse to spending big on cars just to save the planet. That much is clear from the 89 units of Holden Volt sold so far this year. But a plug-in model sold by a prestige brand might not face the same level of buyer resistance – even if it ends up being the most expensive model in Volvo's V60 range.
"If I were to give it a guess, probably a little bit above a T6 R-Design..." replied Braid, when asked about price by motoring.com.au. "Couldn't put a figure on it, but it would be the most expensive, over a T6."
As a technology leader the diesel hybrid would be an important addition to the local product portfolio, but the importer also wants to sell the car at a profit – which is what all importers want from their product range.
Based on the UK price – converted directly without taking into account additional taxes or any other costs – the V60 Hybrid would come in just under $90,000. That's in line with Volvo Australia's previous advice that it would sell at a price below $100,000 – and would represent a price premium of around $10,000 above the top-spec V60 T6 R-Design.
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Written byKen Gratton
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