Volvo C30: now starts under £15k

Volvo C30 ES 2.0 - now starts at £14,995

It’s been all change at Volvo in the last year, with the Swedish car maker going from being the last vestige of Ford’s ill-fated Premier Auto Group to the first high-profile car maker to fall to the Chinese resurgence as an economic force.

Volvo also has a new boss in former VW man Stefan Jacoby, who has made it clear he doesn’t see Volvo as a ‘Premier’ marque.

Not that he’s downplaying what Volvo has to offer, he’d just prefer us to think of Volvo as unique and Swedish rather than in competition with the likes of Mercedes and BMW.

Which is probably quite shrewd. People do perceive Volvo as a cut above other middle market makers but don’t expect BMW-esque prices. Which, to be fair, is where Volvo seemed to be pitched. But it looks like that’s being addressed.

Volvo are taking that Twilight favourite – the Volvo C30 – and making it more affordable. The starting point is now the Volvo C30 ES 2.0 litre petrol at £14,995 – down from £16,295 – which comes equipped with Climate, 16″ alloys, electric windows and CD player.

An entirely sensible move by Volvo. Much better to set out their stall as a maker of quality, individual cars that can be bought at sensible money – at least at the entry-level –  than as an alternative to a BMW or Mercedes – a battle they are unlikely to win. Strong, entry-level model pricing should turn new buyers on to the possibility of Volvo ownership.

Even if it’s only from economically-challenged vampires.

By Cars UK