Volvo Q1 global sales numbers are in, and...

[matthew1]

I'm sure they could make a car at least as safe as P2, and give it a great gas engine for $25k. No screen, great seats, switches, 40 MPG highway.

If it was a sedan/wagon, I'm not convinced it would affect the lower end of the current lineup, which is upscale/SUV/tech-heavy. I think the fear would be that it would cheapen the Volvo brand.

[volvolugnut]

There are examples of high end car companies creating entry level cars
In 1980, Oldsmobile and Cadillac had versions of the Chevrolet Citation economy car.
Mercedes has produced several entry level SUVs.
volvolugnut

[Vova585]

Agree with volvolugnut. I think it is better to have foot tracking into your store. Yes, you can sell " a dream" (porsche commercial) vs have something for everyone(toyota, from corolla to Lexus lx 600), or even Chevrolet( i am not a fan of GM, but i give the credit to their lineup and prices, we will skip reliability aspect).

[matthew1]

Wide MSRP range is more of a thing in Europe where you'll see absolutely tiny 2-door MB runabouts.

Here BMW discontinued the 1 series, and the 2 series starts at $40k. Cheapest MB is $41.5k. So kinda maybe entry level, depends how you define it, but definitely not fighting down low in the mud with say Nissans.

Buicks do start around $25k. GM has Cadillac to protect up high. I see Buick as a reputation firewall between Chevy and Caddy.

[volvolugnut]

We can dream, but will unlikely see another low cost Volvo.
volvolugnut

[matthew1]

I think you're right VLN. Volvo is a higher end car maker, not a full spectrum one like Toyota (+Lexus). My family went to a Volvo dealer circa 1985 and we sat in a 240 DL or GL and it was so awesome, but my dad was looking to spend $10 or $12k and it was $15k or so. That's how I remember it anyway, I was in middle or high school then and don't remember it well.

I just looked it up: "In 1985, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Volvo 240 DL ranged from approximately ($11,625) for the 2-door coupe to around ($14,215) for the 4-door sedan, and ($14,690) for the 4-door wagon."

The average new car tab came in at mid $11k in 1985.

My point is that they were always above average, even 40 years ago. Just a little above. But a 240 would have been worlds better than the US domestic cars my dad bought.

[Vova585]

Above average and luxury are not the same. BMW is a more spirited drive. Audi- more refined luxury with better technology. MB is a cult on its own with premium comfy drive.
Volvobwas in unique niche. People that are above average income/or rich who dont want to be mainstream. People that were favoring functionality over trend, reliability over gadgets, safety over design, were buying volvo. PeopIe that wanted something slightly better in terms of comfort, were buying volvo over subi. l almost never heard people talking about volvo as a luxury brand, Cadillac, Audi, MB, Lexus, yes, but volvo not. Now they price themselves similarly to the established luxury brands, and no wonder that "chariot is turning into pumkin" in terms of sales.
In addition to all above, they are so cheap that they dont want now even to send you high millage badge.

[matthew1]

I hear you @Vova585.

This is shocking to me: Volvo 780 with every option was roughly $37,000 in 1987... $95k to $105k in 2026 dollars! Grok AI gave me that range because it depends on which inflation calculator one uses.

Adjusted for inflation, the 1996 850R was $84k in today's money. Specific number from Google AI.

Today you can spend $95k for the top-tier Twin Motor Performance Ultra trim EX90.

So maybe they've always been where they are? Are we experiencing this weird nostalgic effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosy_retrospection ?

[volvolugnut]

Ok, maybe the 240 Volvos were not cheap in the 1980s. But could a new Volvo be built in China (or Mexico) by Geely in a basic deign for low cost and moderate function? This could be the new family sedan that is not often available today.
Perhaps even mimic the 240 style, but slightly smaller. Other brands have had success with retro designs like the new Beetle.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

Volvo has always been a luxury brand but a money and brains buyer subset.

Up until Covid, Volvo was the least leased brand, and bmw the highest , which tells you about the brains part