Coming soon: Volvo is going to launch luxury compact SUVs to compete with Audi, BMW, Mercedes

Volvo is going to turn up the heat in luxury car segment and will launch compact models in India to race against its rivals such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

Volvo will launch a series of compact models in next financial year and the first ones to hit the Indian roads will be sport-utility vehicle codenamed Concept 40.1 and a sedan-Concept 40.2.

The Swedish automaker wants a share of entry level car market and is eyeing young urban customers.

"Entry SUVs are extremely important for a market like India. We are seeing a lot of growth coming in from the segment in BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries. Also, in the Americas, the trend has become apparent," Peter Mertens, senior vice-president for research & development, told ET.

Volvo will launch a hybrid version of SUV XC90 in the next few months in India.

"Globally, the T8 (hybrid version) accounts for around 20 per cent of XC90 sales. In markets like India and China, infrastructural constraints as far as charging these vehicles are concerned is a challenge," Mertens told ET.

(Image: Indiatimes)