Automotive columnist George Achorn thinks Volvo should enter the minivan segment, perhaps with a premium offering similar to the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Unlike the R-Class, however, Achorn’s proposal features a sliding door and other traditional minivan characteristics. “Volvo is already known for being a strong, safe and family-friendly marque. These are all qualities that suit the minivan target buyer perfectly. Additionally, Volvo has an attainable premium placement in the market, spanning Volkswagen to BMW for cross-shopped competitors,” writes Achorn. “Volvo’s position is near perfect to not only be a credible source for a most-trusted minivan, it has the brand perception and the platform availability to move compact and full-sized minivans into the premium segment.”
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02/14, 1:22 PM
posted by:
Garris
I completely agree, and there are corporate platforms ready to use (Mazda 5, CX-7, and coming CX-9)…
02/14, 1:25 PM
posted by:
JSP
totally agree with this guy
02/14, 2:33 PM
posted by:
Northeasterner
Wow! I like that “volvo minivan” on the pic. Volvo should hire whoever did that rendering!
02/14, 2:54 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Of couse they should, what a retarded premise. Minivans are boring as hell, and so is Volvo. Except for the new C30 which really needs Volvo’s new 3.2L inline 6.
02/14, 3:21 PM
posted by:
Micah
Holy cow no. That would just get Ford BACK INTO the minivan market.
If Volvo had a minivan, with a little badge engineering, ALL the other ford brands would have the same thing.
Let soccer moms take the Volvo SUV (which is their best-selling model).
02/14, 4:27 PM
posted by:
Steve
I will say that is a sexy rendering of a mini van. See… mini vans don’t have to be ugly.
02/14, 5:30 PM
posted by:
BCM
I don’t think Volvo can achieve sufficient volume on its own to make it worthwhile, and if the vehicle were shared it might be difficult to differentiate as much as with other shared platforms (one box shape, more hardpoints). Also, despite cross-shopping, I suspect a large share of potential sales would be to people who would otherwise purchase a Volvo wagon or SUV, so the profit per vehicle needs to be higher than the sales they’re switching.
02/14, 11:00 PM
posted by:
Angelo
Volvo could use the Mazda6 platform, or the S80….
02/14, 11:32 PM
posted by:
Count Drokoo
Volvo has a crap image anyway, so why not?
02/15, 9:07 AM
posted by:
DaveO
I wouldn’t agree..but a friend just gave up her XC90 for a Toyota Sienna because of the convenience factor. But as someone else mentioned, I don’t think as essentially a boutique manufacuter that they could achieve sales high enough to offset the development costs.
02/15, 4:07 PM
posted by:
Nono
“Should Volvo build a minivan?”
NO!
Volvo isn’t a cheap vehicles carmaker
02/15, 4:34 PM
posted by:
jmhm2003
The MB R-Class is a bomb in the marketplace according to the Auto Extremist. Ford does not have enough cash to take the risk of a Volvo minivan. It is a bad idea.
However, the Mazda 5 is a great idea.