Volvo Cars to open fifth dealerships in Kochi

Kochi: Volvo Car India, a division of Ford Motor Company, has drawn up a major marketing plan for the Indian region by deciding to open 12 dealerships across the country by next year.

The company will open its fifth dealership in Kochi to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, which will call at Kochi Port, the first Asian Port, in December, Mr Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Car India, said at a press meet.

The company, which currently has four dealerships in the country, has proposed to sell 500 cars in the current fiscal.

After the opening of the first dealership in March, it had sold around 100 cars in the country. He also clarified that the company has decided to absorb the extra cost on account of rupee depreciation.

Currently, there are no plans to open a manufacturing facility in the country as the company will study the market before taking such important decisions.

The luxury cars of Volvo are in the range between Rs 38-52 lakh and the luxury segment is growing in all emerging markets, he said.

Mr Voijs, who was here in connection with the Volvo Ocean Race, said that the company would showcase special edition cars to celebrate the race.