Volvo will build a rival to the VW Golf - out in 2012 - as part of a fresh product plan devised under new CEO Stefan Jacoby.
Speaking last week in London, Jacoby said that the next-generation entry-level Volvo “will be a derivation of the C30 - a Golf competitor”.
Volvo’s entries in this class have been saloons - the S40 - the V50 estate and the C30 coupe, but it has not offered a five door hatchback since the 440 range was deleted in 1995.
Read more on Stefan Jacoby's plans for Volvo
Jacoby has substantially shuffled the product plan since arriving, the Golf-class car, which would give Volvo a competitor in Europe’s biggest segment, taking precedence over an XC90 replacement.
He also revealed that Volvo’s brand positioning would shift towards ‘functionality and Scandinavian elegance’ and away from the sportiness that it has emphasised in recent years.
Volvos will also get a more distinctive face, which will also debut on the new five-door.
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Re: Volvo 'Golf' to lead product push
Quite right about stop trying to ape BMW. Volvo knew where it was before Ford bought it out and started charging for safety options.
Re: Volvo 'Golf' to lead product push
And hopefully it'll have a spare wheel rather than just a tyre sealant kit as the new S60/V60 does.
Re: Volvo 'Golf' to lead product push
A 340 for the 21st century? Actually, I'm not being sarcastic, they were very successful in the UK, being a (slightly) premium hatchback before Audi invented the A3. Like someone else said here, stop trying to be BMW and go back to making Volvos!