Volvo New Zealand is starting off 2021 with plenty to celebrate with its strongest sales ever and a popular model about to go on sale here.

A rapidly growing share of the premium small SUV market helped Volvo NZ set a new sales volume record – with January the company’s strongest month ever in its history. It will also soon launch the XC40 Recharge electric model here, which will garner more interest in the brand by Kiwis thanks to its 400km range.

Ben Montgomery, Volvo NZ’s new general manager, says the start of 2021 has been exceptional from a sales perspective with Volvo New Zealand setting a new sales record of over 100 vehicles sold in January – up over 36% on their previous record. And they still have a few more days to add to the tally.

He says the Swedish marque has benefited from macro factors including New Zealanders reallocating their international travel expenditure into the purchase of new luxury vehicles to explore the country over summer. 

“From our perspective confidence in this part of the market is driven by a strong residential property sector and higher levels of disposable income available as more Kiwis spend their usual international travel budget in the domestic market,” says Montgomery.

“This economic shift has aligned well with the growing recognition of Volvo in the premium SUV market - with the XC40 is now one of our strongest performing models,” he says. 

He says with more Kiwis taking a strong interest in Volvo’s strong Swedish design cues and a brand focused on ‘care’, the company is on track to once again be the fastest-growing European vehicle brand.

Increasing local sales volumes have also seen the introduction of a new pricing structure across the range – providing up to 5% (or $11,000) savings. The XC40 will now retail from $59,900, XC60 T5 from $79,900 and XC90 T6 from $99,900.

The new model year also signals the end of an era for diesel-powered Volvo cars, as the company repositions to an electrified future. All hybrid models in their current lineup sold in NZ will now offer an eight-year battery warranty. 

Montgomery says upgraded models landing from the start of this year will offer new safety technology and will see an increased environmental focus - with the 2021 year the final one the company will offer diesel engines to Kiwi buyers. 

From this year on every new Volvo sold in NZ will come standard with speed limiting technology which prevents the vehicle from travelling in excess of 180kmph - a move designed to help the carmaker achieve its global ambition that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo.

A second Care key will allow owners to further restrict the speed of the vehicles when in the hands of teenagers or those entrusted with the maintenance of the vehicle.

New international research from Volvo has found 47 per cent of parents worry about their teenager speeding, while 52 per cent of parents say they would like to be able to control the speed of their teenager’s car.

Almost one-fifth (19 per cent) of parents of teenagers also say they would rather catch a taxi than get a lift from their teenager.

In addition to helping to make the roads safer, new sustainability moves will see a no cost option of an eco-fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and 30% wool – a material which reduces the weight of the vehicles by 3kg (compared to leather upholstery).