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VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Volvo

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Paying for product placement for big-screen movies can be a pretty risky business. If the movie is a flop, doing so could be a big-time waste of ad dollars that could have been better spent elsewhere. But if the movie turns out to be a global blockbuster, it can look like a very wise move, indeed. Volvo struck such gold with the first Twilight movie, as millions of teens saw Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) prancing around town in his silver C30. And the safety-minded Swedish automaker is looking for lightning to strike twice by getting its products noticed in Twilight sequel New Moon.

Cullen is a little older and a bit wiser in the sequel, so he appears to be stepping up from the C30 to the family-friendly XC60, although both models feature in the film. If you're thinking a crossover isn't exactly cool for the typical 17 year-old, try to remember that Cullen is over 100 in human years. Volvo's newest crossover makes perfect sense given the fact that it's the Swedish automaker's newest and freshest product, but we're having a bit of trouble trying to understand pushing a Volvo crossover in a vampire flick that gears towards teenage movie-goers.

Hit the jump to watch the 1:30 commercial, which doesn't begin until about 10 seconds into the YouTube clip. Volvo wants you to know that its vehicles give you the power to stand up for you what you believe in while also keeping what you believe in safe. If you're not into people haulers from Volvo, there are also plenty of dialog-free scenes from New Moon.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

[Source: Volvo via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion

VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo, New Car Reviews

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has seen better days. Just a few short years ago, the Swedish automaker was the lone bright spot in Ford's European luxury operation, boasting impressive sales and actual profits. Fast-forward to 2009, and the situation couldn't be more different. Sales are downright depressing, revenues are worse, and the automaker has a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn, yet nobody has bothered to show up for the open house. For Volvo to have a legitimate chance of survival, all future products have to be home runs, beginning with the XC60 crossover.

The XC60 slots below the XC70 wagon and the XC90 crossover, finally giving Volvo a player in the lucrative entry-level luxury crossover realm. The stalwarts of the segment - the Lexus RX and Acura MDX - play to consumer's needs and desires, offering superior reliability, inoffensive looks, maxed out interiors, and top-notch tech options. Looking at the XC60 from afar, the newest Volvo passes the appearance and interior test, but does it have enough to get customers back into Volvo showrooms? Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Continue reading Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo shows off sporty new XC60 R-Design

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo

Volvo XC60 R-Design - Click above for high-res image gallery

From the "You knew it was coming" file is word that Volvo is readying an R-Design variant of their new XC60 crossover. With the company's sporty trim designation finding its way into nearly every product in the fold (C30, S40, V50, S80, V70, and XC90), the move may be an expected one, but it is pleasant nonetheless.

Given that it features stiffer damping (Volvo doesn't specify how much firmer), a more robust chassis (Volvo doesn't specify how it's reinforced) and improved steering (thanks to a new, "direct steering gear") than its more prosaic counterparts, the R-Design isn't purely an appearance package, but with no underhood work, it isn't far off. That's in keeping with the brand, though, as Volvos aren't traditionally the most sporting offerings in their segment.

In the case of the XC60, the R-Design is distinguished by its color-keyed lower body (standard XC60s are matte black), "matte silk metal finish" flourishes (grille, mirror caps, trim moldings), unique 18-inch "Cratus" pattern alloys (20-inch pieces are optional) as well as skid plates and a pair of chromed exhaust outlets.

The interior also gets some new trimmings, including aluminum steering wheel inserts, door moldings, and a darker finish floating center stack that features "a circular pattern that expands outwards in a dynamic way" - a pattern that is replicated in the striping of the two-toned seating surfaces. The pedals gain aluminum surfaces with grippy rubber inserts, and there's the requisite complement of R-Design badges as well.

As shown in the images, Passion Red is an R-Design-specific available color, but there are six other colors to choose from.

No word yet on model cost or availability, but we expect to see the the XC60 R-Design hitting dealers soon. For now, however, check out the gallery of high-res exterior photos below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volvo XC60 R-Design

Continue reading Volvo shows off sporty new XC60 R-Design

Volvo shows off sporty new XC60 R-Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo thinks it needs more crossovers and wagons

Chris Tutor — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:08:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Volvo

And as a new father in need of a larger vehicle, I agree. Volvo has long been known for their safe, sensible wagons and last year almost half its total sales came from this class of vehicles.

Volvo Car Corp. COO Steven Armstrong tells Autoweek that his company sees plenty of wagon and crossover-type market gaps that need filling. Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo Car senior vice president of brand business and product strategy (we hope he gets paid by the syllable, btw) is a little more specific, saying that if the company were to target those gaps, it would likely be in the V or XC range.

Again, as the new daddy, I'd love to see Volvo reintroduce the V90 as an ultra luxury wagon to give the class a more upscale image. But as a practical new dad (hey, diapers ain't cheap) I say bring on a fuel-efficient 5-seater crossover simiilar to, but smaller and cheaper than, the upcoming XC60 (pictured above). But as the father who still craves some excitement now and then, I would, of course, opt for the European delivery with the Nurburgring package.

With so few automakers competing in the U.S. in the wagon segment, we see Volvo snagging lots of new customers. But the Swedes need to be quick before Honda and Toyota decide to re-enter with Accord and Camry wagons.

[Source: Autoweek]

Volvo thinks it needs more crossovers and wagons originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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