Hakan Samuelsson (Photo : www.bloomberg.com)
After the first-ever China-based plant was opened for the Volvo brand in 2013, the Swedish automobile company is preparing itself to be the first prominent auto company to export China-built cars to the U.S.
Stefan Elfstroem spoke on behalf of the company on Monday and stated that the S60L sedan model is at the center of the plan.
The Volvo Car Group has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. since an acquisition deal was closed in 2010. The Chengdu plant is Volvo's third global plant, with the other two in Sweden and Belgium.
Monday's announcement occurred after three similar plans were unveiled last decade. Chery Automobile Co. planned to export cars to the U.S. by 2007, according to a 2005 plan, while, two years later, Changfeng Motors executives said that they were looking for dealers that could facilitate U.S. market sales. The Geely company then revealed that it would be selling a compact car in 2008 in the U.S. priced at under $10,000.
It was noted as part of Monday's news that none of the aforementioned announcements led to action, and Forbes sought the advice of an independent analyst. John Wolkonowic told the publication that he thinks that none of the companies were able to finalize the product or quality they were aiming for. He added that both Hyundai and Toyota endured significant difficulties during their early years in the American market.
China is also significant, as Volvo Cars have become very popular in the Asian nation. In 2014, it represented the brand's largest market with sales of 81,221 units. In terms of the U.S., Volvo is aiming for a 67-percent increase in U.S. sales after it boosts its marketing budget for the region and introduces new models, such as the V60 Cross Country wagon.
