Volvo Moving Toward Three Families of Vehicles in the Future

2016 Volvo XC90 (Credit: © Volvo)

Volvo has been a slow mover in recent years, as it has resisted change and kept on the same path of simply building quality vehicles with a focus on safety. Despite always being near the top of the heap in safety and quality, the brand has slowly fallen out of grace with some buyer due to its lack of changes. With the release of the all-new XC90, we knew there was change afoot, but a report from Autoblog confirms that the Geeley-owned brand is set to undergo a full overhaul that includes a new, easier-to-follow naming system.

The new naming system will include three main families: 40 Series, 60 Series and 90 Series. Like Infiniti’s recent lineup change, Volvo’s numbering system will essentially go in ascending order from entry-level to range topping, meaning the 40 Series will indicate the entry-level lineup and the 90 Series will indicate the range-topping models.

Within this lineup there will be three body styles: S, V and XC. The S models will be sedans, the V models will be wagons and the XC models will be crossovers. Notice something missing from that list? If so, you’re likely disappointed to learn that Volvo has no plans to offer coupes or convertibles in the near future.

The three body styles within each series will share a platform, which will help reduce production costs and ease the development of safety items. The 40 Series models will all share a platform that Volvo will borrow from its China-based parent company, Geeley, while the 60 Series and 90 Series models will all share the SPA platform that underpins the new XC90.

Volvo also told Autoblog that it will produce Cross Country versions of its V40, V60 and V90 wagons that will feature higher-riding, more off-road-suitable suspensions and body cladding. This Cross Country lineup will give buyers light off-road capability without forcing them to move into high-riding SUVs that they may not be comfortable with, almost like Audi does with its Allroad Quattro models.

We should see this new naming system in full effect by 2019 and expect to see seven- to  eight-year product cycles.