Volvo has taken motorists by storm with several estate car models. But now the brand doesn't know whether the body shape will survive, says the country manager in England.
Volvo's future in estate cars is uncertain. The automaker has yet to clarify whether it will compete with models like the VW ID.7 Tourer, Audi A6 e-tron Avant and BMW i5 Touring.
– It's too early to say anything, says Nicole Shaw, director of Volvo in the UK.
In March next year, Volvo will present their new, large electric sedan, the ES90, which will replace the current S90. The ES90 is said to be a spacious sedan. For the same reason, many expect that there will also be a station wagon similar to the Volvo V90. However, this is far from certain.
Volvo's CEO, Jim Rowan, has previously hinted at the uncertainty, which has now been confirmed by Volvo in the UK. It could mean the end of estate cars at Volvo when the older V60 and V90 models are phased out.
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– It's too early to say, as it's only December. In the second quarter (of 2025, ed.) I might have a better sense of what it could be. After all, it's in the electric direction that we're developing the cars, Nicole Shaw tells Auto Express.
Estate cars used to be a central part of Volvo's identity. But now other manufacturers have stepped in. Volkswagen has the ID.7 Tourer, BMW offers the i5 Touring, and Audi has launched the A6 e-tron Avant. At the same time, hatchbacks are a declining segment, and SUVs dominate the market.
– Some of it is quite simple, and in other places you have to make a choice. And I get so many emails asking me when someone is going to make a proper electric station wagon – mainly from people in Northern Europe.
But then you say, 'What if we did that?' and ask, "What if we did a Cross Country version of it?"
"Would that be something that would work in our model program? I'm not going to give an answer to that right now. But I would say that it's something that makes sense for us to look at," Jim Rowan previously told Autocar.