Volvo is a brand with a long heritage, but a recent problem. What used to be an outwardly safe car, and a smart choice in a world of cracker boxes has since become just another car. Today most cars are just as safe as Volvos, and they have lost their once trademark square boxy style.
While Ford has been trying to sell off the brand, they have been busy working on improving the product and offering something unique once more. Enter the Volvo diesel-plug-in-hybrid. Volvo announced plans for the plug-in diesel late last month. The V70 based concept car was unveiled earlier this summer is slated to enter production in 2012.
The production model is designed to have a total driving range of 745 miles, including 30 in all-electric mode. Volvo is making noises now that they plan to bring this model to the United States in 2013. Hoorah. Now there is some forward thinking for a change that might actually get the college professors and smarter than thou graduates back into the showrooms.
Volvo is also saying that the plug-in-hybrid model aside, it plans to bring conventional diesel models to America to help the brand meet the more stringent fuel economy regulations rolling out soon that will ultimately require a fleet average of 35.5 mpg. At the very least this would include the XC-60 crossover but could include other models.
Volvo has said that the plans for diesel and plug-in-hybrid diesel cars are independent of Ford and will not be affected by whether or not the brand is sold.
