Volvo Calls On EurotaxGlass's to Forecast Residual Values of New XC60 Across Europe

WEYBRIDGE – August 12, 2008: EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide, has been providing data and consultancy services to Volvo in eight of the Swedish carmaker’s key markets as it prepares for the launch of its new XC60 compact SUV. EurotaxGlass’s residual value forecasts and detailed competitor analysis for the new vehicle are being used by Volvo to facilitate communications with prospective fleet and leasing customers, and for use in ongoing marketing.

As a key part of the project, EurotaxGlass’s Market Intelligence Unit (EGMIU) completed detailed CarToMarket reports predicting the likely future values of the vehicle in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. Each report takes full account of Volvo’s distribution, sales and marketing strategies, as well as localised patterns of supply and demand for vehicles in the compact SUV segment and the residual value prospects of rival models.

“The new XC60 is being priced, specified and marketed with a view to building robust long-term residual values,” comments Alan Carpenter, Director, Volvo Car International Fleet Sales. “This will help create a significant corporate customer base, as well as appeal to the growing numbers of retail customers now assessing whole-life costs before making a purchase. The data and analysis from EurotaxGlass’s has been critical in shaping key elements of our fleet marketing programme across Europe.”

Jason King, Head of Market Intelligence at EurotaxGlass’s, comments, “The larger XC90 has returned very good residual values since its launch, and we feel the XC60 will continue in this same vein. The 4x4 market has been under pressure from used prices falling for a while, but the XC60 is a premium product with very modern styling and a good level of standard specification, so we are confident of its success as a used car.”

In the UK, EurotaxGlass’s predicts that the XC60 2.4D will retain 46 per cent of its cost new price over a three-year/60,000 mile period, and estimates a 47 per cent value for the XC60 D5 SE over the same period.

The XC60 officially goes on sale in the UK in November.