Car manufacturer Volvo has reversed its decision to discontinue its classic estates, saving them from the scrapheap.
Motorists can expect to see the iconic cars return to British showrooms soon, following a strong customer outcry less than a year after the initial decision to cease selling the classics.
The high demand for the vehicles prompted Volvo to announce last week that its V60 and V90 models would resume production, citing a “resurgence in demand” for its “estate products in recent months.”
Volvo expressed surprise at the response after deciding last August to remove its signature vehicles from sale due to poor sales.
The company had planned to focus on producing SUVs and electric cars instead.
Tom Lynch, Volvo UK’s head of communications, told the Sunday Times that many customers were “up in arms” following the original decision to withdraw the cars from sale.
In a statement, the company confirmed the return of the V60 and V90, stating, “We were thrilled by the many comments from customers and media last year, with many stories and memories of how our estate cars have been a huge part of their lives. We look forward to helping create more.”
Outcry from motorists Following Volvo’s announcement last year, Top Gear magazine likened the decision to “nearly as big as Ford laying the Fiesta to rest.”
Motorist Margaret Dupp described the decision to end estate production as “very sad.” “We’ve had Volvo V70s for 25 years. Wonderful cars,” she said. “Our first one came with a factory-fitted labrador (choice of black, chocolate, or yellow), tartan picnic rug, and pipe holder.”
Police driving instructor Bob Isaacs, 76, a lifelong Volvo driver, shared that his 1995 Volvo 850 estate remains a part of the family. Mr. Isaacs, who lives in Isleworth, west London, said, “My old Volvo has been here, there, and everywhere. My grandkids travelled in the rear-facing seats when they were young, and in the boot, I’ve carried anything you can buy in a garden centre: turf, paving stones, bags of pea shingle, and gravel.”
“I don’t like SUVs. I prefer the older cars. We had a family holiday in Scotland at the end of April—me, my daughter, the grandkids, and all their stuff. Only the Volvo estate could have handled that.”
Another Volvo estate owner, who contacted the company after last year’s announcement, mentioned his family had owned a total of 32 Volvos and stated, “We will not be buying SUVs.”
“I am on my eighth Volvo estate. We currently have six Volvos in the family,” he said. “We used to buy them in pairs. We will not be buying SUVs, so it looks like this is goodbye—very sad. I guess nothing lasts forever. Someone else will fill the gap, and they can have our money.”
