Watch Out For Volvo In Thailand, It Looks Set To Succeed

I’ve always found Volvo’s positioning in Thailand “curious” - a Swedish brand that has the luxe factor to challenge premium German manufacturers is backed up by tech know-how from Geely. This deft combination has made Volvos in Thailand somehow appealing - European perception and relative affordability, driven by incentives from deploying subsidised tech (battery and motor assembly etc..) in Thailand is an approach that has reaped benefits, given how many new Volvos have popped up in recent years.

Pricing has played a part, certainly. The S60 PHEV is priced slightly lower than a LCI 320d, and the base-spec V60 PHEV wagon, well, has no challengers, and brutal 460bhp / 709Nm of shove on demand. It costs THB2,340,000 - right smack within A200 and 220i Gran Coupe territory. For non badge-conscious folks, the Volvo will garner massive appeal.

Sure, there are no pure ICE Volvos for sale brand new now, and PHEVs are not for everyone. Sooner or later, Volvo’s entire range will be electrified. It’s an approach that has paid off just based on visual inspection - XC40s are more common than initially anticipated, and judging by how it’s priced, has managed to grab quite a chunk of sales from the younger crowd, presumably potential MINI and Audi buyers, too.

I’ve narrowed down 2 key reasons why Volvo looks set to further improve on its sales figures. Firstly, it’s competitively priced - examples above prove so. Secondly, Thailand has plenty of land, and that paves the way for plenty of townhomes and bungalows to install 7kWh chargers. I wouldn’t call it convenient for PHEV owners to charge outside as that adds another layer of complexity, and would consider (overnight) home charging a fuss free affair. Of course, it depends on your driving route but PHEVs, if utilised properly, can be a secret weapon on Thai tarmac. EV-only mode in Bangkok, and then hybrid boost for cross-province ventures - sounds like a plan.

I’ve just been informed by Volvo Thailand that there were 2 lucky winners of a Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric and a XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. These winners had booked a Volvo at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS). It’s all part of the brand’s 50th anniversary festivities - and it’s definitely a lucky draw generous enough to turn heads with more than THB5 million worth of metal on the line. Lucky draws like these might not be confined within the Volvo community in the near future, because the cars in their current lineup are sleek, powerful and priced very well. More success is on the cards…

All the best to Volvo Thailand - we want to see more fast wagons!