Volvo Malaysia to breach sales target

VOLVO Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects to breach its sales target of one thousand cars a-year in 2012, President Goran Larsson says.

He said the company sold 600 cars last year and was picking up the pace in terms of sales through various efforts.

"We are aggressively going into marketing and expanding our sales network this year," he said after the launch of Volvo V50 2.0 Power Shift, a compact premium wagon, in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said car manufacturers worldwide experienced a downturn last year and Volvo's plan for this year was mainly to restructure and maintain its brand presence in Malaysia.

The company's performance should be better this year than in 2009, he added.

"The second half of this year is expected to feel the economic recovery heat in Malaysia, especially in car manufacturing," Larsson said.

On the wagon launched today, the first of its kind in Malaysia, he said it would gain good reception from Malaysians.

"We are eyeing the sales to touch three digits. However, it will be lesser than 500 units.

"Give us a chance to prove that this type of wagon is not only meant for the West market; instead, it is also suitable for the Asean market, especially Malaysia," he said.

With 145 horsepower, four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission, the V50 2.0 Auto Power Shift is priced at RM185,950 on the road without insurance.