Volvo drops all estate & saloon models and now only sell SUVs

[BTB 500]

The era of the 'Volvo estate' is finally over:

Volvo goes SUV-only in UK as all saloon and estate cars axed | Autocar

Volvo S60, V60 and V90 follow S90 into retirement; bespoke emergency services spec cars to continue

www.autocar.co.uk

This was my all-time favourite

 

[SpikyMikey]

Takes me back to the days when we used to go to the BTCC races.
I think it was Thruxton where they ran the 850 with a stuffed toy Golden Retriever in the boot

 

[BTB 500]

Takes me back to the days when we used to go to the BTCC races.
I think it was Thruxton where they ran the 850 with a stuffed toy Golden Retriever in the boot

I remember that! I also went to a few BTCC races.

 

[SpikyMikey]

It was great racing in those days; Cavalier GSi, Toyota Carina, Renault Laguna, Alfa 155, 3 Series Beemer and probably a few more I've forgotten.

 

[Dippo]

A bad day for hat sellers.

 

[Germgh0st]

Ugh. Hate SUVs with a passion.

 

[Tonygw]

SUV's are not Sporty, not Utilitarian but they are Vehicles. they should change their name really.... OTB's (Oversized Top heavy Barge?)

And their target audience is the older generation whos knees cant quite cope with a lower car....

I hate them to...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ugh. Hate SUVs with a passion.

In light of this news, somebody must like them, in fact lots of people must like them.

 

[Germgh0st]

In light of this news, somebody must like them, in fact lots of people must like them.

Don't think I said otherwise, was just expressing my total dislike of them for a whole number of reasons.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Don't think I said otherwise, was just expressing my total dislike of them for a whole number of reasons.

Don’t think I said you did, your message was very clear.

 

[Germgh0st]

Don’t think I said you did, your message was very clear.

And I'm not entirely sure it's all because other people like them - whilst obviously a lot do, it's quickly becoming the case that it's the only sensible choice with the withdrawal of estates versions across the board. Or attitudes like 'Well if I'm in an accident in a bigger car I won't come off worse'.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

And I'm not entirely sure it's all because other people like them - whilst obviously a lot do, it's quickly becoming the case that it's the only sensible choice with the withdrawal of estates versions across the board. Or attitudes like 'Well if I'm in an accident in a bigger car I won't come off worse'.

Manufacturers tend not to withdraw models which sell like hot cakes so I suspect that demand for saloons and estates has been low for a while, and reducing in relative terms. Whilst some do, I’m not sure that many buy SUVs because they won’t come off worse in an accident. The majority of the growth in popularity of SUVs has come from small and mid-size SUVs (so not big), in many cases picking up where MPVs left off. In fact most are tall hatchbacks!

SUV’s tend to be popular because of their height. For young people it’s easier for child seats. For the old and those with physical limitations it’s easier to get in and out of. For those In the country or city, they like elevated driving position to see over hedges and queuing cars. For all, the more vertical seating position frees up space making a car feel roomier and allows more legroom and luggage capacity relative to a saloon/estate of the same length (like an MPV).

Hopefully a minority, the type of SUV buyer which I find intriguing are the ones who buy them for image reasons. The ones who answer “an SUV” when someone asks which car they drive - or worse still, those who frequently tell others often that they drive a SUV and what they actually drive is a Renault Kadjar or Vauxhall Mokka. Whilst it makes me smile, I like the fact that they are passionate and proud of their car. Vive la difference.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

It was great racing in those days; Cavalier GSi, Toyota Carina, Renault Laguna, Alfa 155, 3 Series Beemer and probably a few more I've forgotten.

I got Gabriele Tarquini's autograph on a big poster of the 155 at one of the BTCC races. It's the only autograph i have ever been bothered to get! The Alfa was stunning. Interesting story with the aero package - to get round the homologation rules Alfa used to supply the extended spoiler loose in the boot with the fittings.

 

[Germgh0st]

Manufacturers tend not to withdraw models which sell like hot cakes so I suspect that demand for saloons and estates has been low for a while, and reducing in relative terms. Whilst some do, I’m not sure that many buy SUVs because they won’t come off worse in an accident. The majority of the growth in popularity of SUVs has come from small and mid-size SUVs (so not big), in many cases picking up where MPVs left off. In fact most are tall hatchbacks!

A lot of manufacturers drop models in order to consolidate tooling and reduce costs, even if the model is popular - for example the 2 door Ford Focus was very popular and yet it was dropped as of the Mk3 so that all Focus tooling was for the five door or estate. So I still think there's an element of choice reduction as well.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It was great racing in those days; Cavalier GSi, Toyota Carina, Renault Laguna, Alfa 155, 3 Series Beemer and probably a few more I've forgotten.

I used to live watching BTCC on tele on a Saturday lunchtime/afternoon. Good times.

Just after that period I was a guest if Vauxhall at Donnington for the final BTCC race of the 2002/3 ish (?) and was there when they won the double triple, ie driver and team champions for three consecutive years in the Astra Coupe.

Back then the action was even more accessible than it is now, and the trophies were just left on the back of an articulated trailer without nobody around. Naturally my Dad and I had some photos with them in comedy poses, like we were stealing them. Thankfully security didn’t see us!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A lot of manufacturers drop models in order to consolidate tooling and reduce costs, even if the model is popular - for example the 2 door Ford Focus was very popular and yet it was dropped as of the Mk3 so that all Focus tooling was for the five door or estate. So I still think there's an element of choice reduction as well.

I’m sure there is, but I would put money on the 3-door focus selling in smaller numbers and reducing.

 

[TC350]

It was great racing in those days; Cavalier GSi, Toyota Carina, Renault Laguna, Alfa 155, 3 Series Beemer and probably a few more I've forgotten.

Those were the days, when you could tell one car from another. I went to a BTTC meeting at Snetterton a couple of months ago and struggled to tell which car was which.

 

[fabes]

My Mrs will not condone an estate.
We (she) had an estate until 2006, then an MPV and now an SUV (X Trail)
Next one will be 'an SUV' as well.

I will be holding into this Coupe (the E400) until getting in and out is too much of 'a job'
I have absolutely no idea what to get next/then

It won't be an estate through choice or ability now though....

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

SUV's are not Sporty, not Utilitarian but they are Vehicles. they should change their name really.... OTB's (Oversized Top heavy Barge?)

And their target audience is the older generation whos knees cant quite cope with a lower car....

I hate them to...

Not so sure. Young families love them.

You might suggest that the Young are chubby and unable to bend, but I couldn’t possibly comment.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I’m sure there is, but I would put money on the 3-door focus selling in smaller numbers and reducing.

Three door Focus and Fiesta were axed last year, and five door versions will disappear altogether within two years

“Sorry, Guv, there’s no demand, or margin, or regulatory approval, for it…”

Ford Fiesta, Galaxy and S-Max officially axed

The future’s Chinese, SUV and EV.

Ford Focus production to end in 2025 | Autocar