Click ’n’ collect Vegan Volvo
VOLVO is in the vanguard of a car buying revolution as we welcome in the new 21 plate registration. Starting with its battery-powered crossover, the C40 Recharge, customers will now only be able to buy its latest all-electric cars online, either from their sofa, a dealership or a Volvo boutique.
At the same time it is slashing the number of variants available, as well as those long menu lists of add-ons and extras.
this ‘vegan’ Volvo is also the first model from the Swedish company to be completely leather-free.
With a range of about 260 miles, it’s a lower- slung and sleeker sibling of the existing XC40 Recharge SUV.
Bosses said they would sell their cars online in a ‘hassle-free’ way with simplified fixed and transparent prices, so customers would not need to haggle.
to reduce complexity, the range of options will be bundled into around four or five pre-set packages. With showroom doors shut until April 12 at the earliest when lockdown is eased, most dealers are also adapting to use online, telephone, Covid-compliant click and collect, and home delivery to hand over keys to new ‘21’ plate models.
Volvo has also put together a care package that bundles servicing, warranty, roadside assistance, insurance and home-charging options. Chief executive håkan Samuelsson told me: ‘ it’s getting cars in a very hassle-free way. You order online, press a buy button. there’s a pre- set price. You get better transparency — a less complicated offering. Long lists of options went too far.’
he did not believe customer resistance would slow the drive to electric- only. By 2025 Volvo aims for half of global sales to be fully electric, with the rest as petrol-electric hybrids. By 2030, every car will be fully electric.
For UK markets, C40 Recharge prices are expected to start just under £50,000 to qualify for the £3,000 plug-in car grant.
it features electric motors on both axles, and its 78kWh battery can be charged to 80 per cent in about 40 minutes with a 150kw dC rapid charger.