GENEVA -- Volvo says it will come to the aid of struggling U.S. dealers by bolstering its lineup, increasing margins and spending more on marketing.
The company will decide in the next quarter whether to reverse a decision not to sell the V60 station wagon in the United States, Doug Speck, global head of marketing, sales and customer service, said at the Geneva auto show.
If that happens, the V60 that went on sale in Europe two years ago could arrive in the United States within a year. Volvo Cars of North America had decided not to take the V60, which replaced the V50, because of declining U.S. wagon sales.
But after Volvo whacked five models and left dealers with only four in the United States, the retailers now say they need the V60.
Volvo also is working with Zhejiang Geely Holding, its Chinese parent company, on a small-car platform, said Speck. The car, which would compete with entry-level models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, isn't likely to be on the market for several years.
With nothing new expected for at least two years, Volvo is sprucing up the four 2014 models that will be sold in the United States. At the auto show, Volvo unveiled refreshed exteriors and interiors for the S60 compact sedan, XC60 crossover, S80 sedan and XC70 wagon. The vehicles go on sale in June.