Volvo C70 set to challenge ‘no convertible’ fleet policies
Volvo is expecting a substantial increase in the number of its new C70 Coupe/Convertible to be sold into the corporate sector.The extra security offered by the new Volvo C70's unique, three-piece retractable hard top, which transforms the car from Coupe to Convertible in under 30 seconds, is expected to challenge the traditional ‘no convertible’ approach of many fleet policies.
In addition, now that prices and specifications have been announced, the new Volvo C70 also compares favourably for Benefit in Kind taxation, and is better equipped and more affordable² than the equivalent Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series soft tops for 22 per cent and 40 per cent tax payers.
As a result, Volvo predicts that the corporate sector will account for over 50 per cent of sales of the new Volvo C70, as many companies that would not have considered the previous soft-top model are expected to add the new model to their choice lists.
Corporate interest in the new Volvo C70 will also increase when Volvo introduces its refined five-cylinder, 180bhp D5 turbo diesel engine in mid-2006 – which will be the first time Volvo has offered a diesel engine in a coupe or convertible.
Fleet customers given a sneak preview of the new Volvo C70 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and leasing/contract hire companies who have seen it, have all told Volvo to expect higher than normal levels of interest from the corporate sector.
"We’ve already had positive feedback from some of our fleet customers, but a huge amount of interest has come from the SME sector," explained Ian Rendle, Volvo’s Corporate Sales Manager.
Volvo's Leasing and Rental manager, John Wallace, explains that the new C70 has also received positive comments from the leasing and contract hire sectors:
"Early signs from the residual value experts are that the modest volumes of the new Volvo C70, great design and its class-leading retractable hard top will help keep residuals high, and in turn make contract hire rental very competitive."
