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

[MikeInWimbledon]

Volvo City was a documentary wasn’t it? I knew I’d heard of it.

Yes, but the phrase predates the programme.

My point without getting into the curiosities of Stamford Hill, the broader point is that Volvo were the better choice than that other Swedish brand, and other European brands. Good design and marketing. (And nothing specific to the UK, I believe they were an equally popular choice in the States, where "other brands were available."

 

[AnnasMerc83]

Volvo City was a documentary wasn’t it? I knew I’d heard of it.

I didn’t realise it was a doc! Rights we are, rainy lunchtime sorted

 

[Darrell]

I didn’t realise it was a doc! Rights we are, rainy lunchtime sorted

 

[BTB 500]

There’s nothing wrong with people carriers, they serve their purpose as do other vehicles. I think the range has narrowed a bit now though?

I suspect people carriers/MPVs are going the way of estate cars and saloons. The US 'soccer mom' minivan image never helped, but if you can get past that (which many can't) they typically offer better interior space/economy/handling than an SUV with a similar raised driving position. Even smaller ones like the Golf-based VW Touran are normally 7 seaters (but obviously if you need decent luggage space at the same time you'd need something larger). Speaking of VW I looked at their website the other day and the 22 current non-commercial models break down as follows:

MPV: 1 (the Touran)
Saloon: 2
Van: 2 (the Transporter-based Multivan and electric ID. Buzz ... both clearly MPVs but I guess 'van' sounds cooler to VW buyers?)
Estate: 3
Hatchback: 5
SUV: 9

I suspect other mainstream manufacturers would have similar range profiles (although without the MPVs / 'vans' in some cases).

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I suspect people carriers/MPVs are going the way of estate cars and saloons. The US 'soccer mom' minivan image never helped, but if you can get past that (which many can't) they typically offer better interior space/economy/handling than an SUV with a similar raised driving position. Even smaller ones like the Golf-based VW Touran are normally 7 seaters (but obviously if you need decent luggage space at the same time you'd need something larger). Speaking of VW I looked at their website the other day and the 22 current non-commercial models break down as follows:

MPV: 1 (the Touran)
Saloon: 2
Van: 2 (the Transporter-based Multivan and electric ID. Buzz ... both clearly MPVs but I guess 'van' sounds cooler to VW buyers?)
Estate: 3
Hatchback: 5
SUV: 9

I suspect other mainstream manufacturers would have similar range profiles (although without the MPVs / 'vans' in some cases).

And the volumes actually sold tell an even more... sorry story.

Golf ? Outsold by the T Roc and Tiguan....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Raises hand …

Cumbersome, inefficient and often driven in London by women who struggle to understand how to drive and park them.

Not sure that’s just an SUV thing. I’d say it’s also a people thing. Too many cars are more cumbersome, inefficient and driven by people who struggle to understand to drive and pro them, and only some are SUVs.

I personally prefer to have the right car for the occasion, with different cars optimised for the very purpose I will use each for, but that’s not an option for most people and hence an SUV is a very flexible do-it all quite well mind of car.

Personally, if I need a small call for the city then I want a really small car. If I need a large car for carrying passengers then I want a really large car. If I want a luxurious car; efficient car, fast car, track car, tow car, etc.

So I have a car for each of those purposes.

For the city I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For efficiency I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For fast B roads I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For track driving I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For carrying passengers in luxury I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For towing I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

 

[markjay]

Much depends on when a car manufacturer emerges who can deliver a desirable and affordable EV for normal people, as opposed to Europeans and Californians.

I believe the Chinese have been doing it for a while now, my guess is that these models fall in the 'cheap and nasty' category and fail to meet various European standards hence why we're not flooded with them.

 

[rayaans]

I think the issue is that they werent exactly brilliant cars to begin with.

S60 was quite a let down with its ride quality overall and don't forget it only really came in petrol form when the majority of vehicles in this class are Diesel. The only hybrid they had at the beginning was the T8 which was very expensive compared to a similiar 330e. This could have been a pretty big volume seller for the brand but unfortunately they didnt capitalise on it

I suspect theyll re-introduce EV saloons in the future

 

[BTB 500]

I believe the Chinese have been doing it for a while now, my guess is that these models fall in the 'cheap and nasty' category and fail to meet various European standards hence why we're not flooded with them

MG are Chinese and have been on sale here for a while. The MG4 EV (starting at £27k) is Autocar's "electric car of the year 2023" so presumably not complete junk ... 7 year warranty, 200+ mile range:

All-New MG4 EV | Fully Electric Hatchback

MG4 EV is an affordable electric hatchback packed with innovation, style and up to an impressive 323 miles of driving range. Learn more now.

www.mg.co.uk

The 'estimated range' calculator on that page is quite interesting.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Not sure that’s just an SUV thing. I’d say it’s also a people thing. Too many cars are more cumbersome, inefficient and driven by people who struggle to understand to drive and pro them, and only some are SUVs.

I personally prefer to have the right car for the occasion, with different cars optimised for the very purpose I will use each for, but that’s not an option for most people and hence an SUV is a very flexible do-it all quite well mind of car.

Personally, if I need a small call for the city then I want a really small car. If I need a large car for carrying passengers then I want a really large car. If I want a luxurious car; efficient car, fast car, track car, tow car, etc.

So I have a car for each of those purposes.

For the city I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For efficiency I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For fast B roads I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For track driving I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For carrying passengers in luxury I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For towing I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

I'm surprised that you have time for any of those listed driving tasks, after you've spent all day cruising round your 'hood, soaking up the admiring glances and enjoying hearing the incredulous gasps of the locals as they realise they have just witnessed a drive-by of a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus

 

[AnnasMerc83]

View attachment 144305

I used to work in the area and had a lot of contact with the community, so find all the docum

MG are Chinese and have been on sale here for a while. The MG4 EV (starting at £27k) is Autocar's "electric car of the year 2023" so presumably not complete junk ... 7 year warranty, 200+ mile range:

All-New MG4 EV | Fully Electric Hatchback

MG4 EV is an affordable electric hatchback packed with innovation, style and up to an impressive 323 miles of driving range. Learn more now.

www.mg.co.uk

The 'estimated range' calculator on that page is quite interesting.

Polestar is Chinese also, isn’t it?

 

[AnnasMerc83]

Whoops cut off there !

- find all the documentaries interesting!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Not sure that’s just an SUV thing. I’d say it’s also a people thing. Too many cars are more cumbersome, inefficient and driven by people who struggle to understand to drive and pro them, and only some are SUVs.

I personally prefer to have the right car for the occasion, with different cars optimised for the very purpose I will use each for, but that’s not an option for most people and hence an SUV is a very flexible do-it all quite well mind of car.

Personally, if I need a small call for the city then I want a really small car. If I need a large car for carrying passengers then I want a really large car. If I want a luxurious car; efficient car, fast car, track car, tow car, etc.

So I have a car for each of those purposes.

For the city I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For efficiency I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For fast B roads I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For track driving I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For carrying passengers in luxury I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For towing I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

Amen. But I have a nagging wife and only have parking for four.

Down this way I know poor folk in four million pound houses who don’t even have the on street parking for one vehicle. Times is hard in city centres.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I believe the Chinese have been doing it for a while now, my guess is that these models fall in the 'cheap and nasty' category and fail to meet various European standards hence why we're not flooded with them.

The ones sold in the UK are more cheap and cheerful. (With some initial rust issues)

Rest assured Tesla is an also ran compared to BYD. Already overtaken. They’re selling to Asia first because it’s that half of the world is where the real opportunities lie.

 

[BTB 500]

Polestar is Chinese also, isn’t it?

Yes AFAIK they are made in China. Polestar is part of Volvo, who are Chinese owned.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm surprised that you have time for any of those listed driving tasks, after you've spent all day cruising round your 'hood, soaking up the admiring glances and enjoying hearing the incredulous gasps of the locals as they realise they have just witnessed a drive-by of a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus

I’ll be honest I try to combine more than one task like cruising round the hood on my way to and from sone fast B rod driving, or on my way in or out of the city. It’s a way of giving something back, making people’s day.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Yes AFAIK they are made in China. Polestar is part of Volvo, who are Chinese owned.

That’s right.

As is Lotus. Their new EV may jit be what we would traditionally associated as being a Lotus but it’s an excellent car, well engineered and built.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not sure that’s just an SUV thing. I’d say it’s also a people thing. Too many cars are more cumbersome, inefficient and driven by people who struggle to understand to drive and pro them, and only some are SUVs.

I personally prefer to have the right car for the occasion, with different cars optimised for the very purpose I will use each for, but that’s not an option for most people and hence an SUV is a very flexible do-it all quite well mind of car.

Personally, if I need a small call for the city then I want a really small car. If I need a large car for carrying passengers then I want a really large car. If I want a luxurious car; efficient car, fast car, track car, tow car, etc.

So I have a car for each of those purposes.

For the city I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For efficiency I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For fast B roads I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For track driving I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For carrying passengers in luxury I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

For towing I have a Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus.

I forgot a couple.

To take the kids to school just down the road and for driving around central London I have a couple of great big black Range Rover Sport SVR with 24-inch wheels.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Amen. But I have a nagging wife and only have parking for four.

In that case you need four Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus. Depending upon the shape of your parking spaces, you may be able to squeeze in a fifth or even a sixth.

 

[SpikyMikey]

In that case you need four Mercedes-AMG ForFour Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Navi powered by Brabus. Depending upon the shape of your parking spaces, you may be able to squeeze in a fifth or even a sixth.

Plenty room....