MOTORING NEWS - Volvo Cars has reported record sales for the first half of 2018, with 317 639 cars, which is an increase of 14,4% compared to the same period last year.

The robust first-half performance puts the company on course to report another year of record sales. Volvo Cars reported sales of 571 577 cars in 2017.

All the key regions of the US, China and Europe reported steady growth during the past six months.

The US grew 39,6% on the back of the best-selling XC60 and XC90.

China, Volvo Cars' largest single market, grew by 18,4% due to strong demand for the XC60 and S90. Sales hit 61 480 compared to 51 914 in the corresponding period last year.

Europe reported a solid 5,7% growth in the first half, driven by demand for the new XC60, the 90 Series cars and the new XC40 small SUV.

Globally, the new Volvo XC60 continued to be the best-selling model in the first half of the year with 88 786 units sold, followed by the XC90 with total sales at 47 658 units and the Volvo V40/V40 Cross Country at 41 588 units. During the first half, the S90 generated sales volumes of 30 977 units.

The popularity of the XC40 continued during the period with the compact SUV recording total volumes of 23 741 units in the first six months.

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) has shown a similar trend with a 13,7% increase for the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017.

Greg Maruszewski, MD Volvo Car South Africa, says that locally, Volvo is on a strong growth curve. "Our sales figures in June this year are almost double that of June 2017. With an excellent product line-up, improving dealer network, offers such as guaranteed buy-back and our own very competitive insurance and rentals plans, we're offering SA buyers the value and quality they expect from a luxury brand. Our 13,7% increase so far this year is a reflection of that."

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