Demand for Volvo's first excursion into 4x4 seven-seaters is finally being fed here with the arrival of demo models in showrooms this Friday, writes Michael McAleer.
The long-awaited XC90 has over 60 signed Irish orders already and the likelihood is our allocation of about 130 will be sold within the next few weeks.
First on the Irish market is the 2.4-litre T5 diesel variant, with the T6 2.9-litre petrol due in May. Volvo expects Irish sales for XC90s to plateau at about 100 per year. In keeping with worldwide demand for these €60,000-plus 4x4s, a waiting time is likely to be in the region of six months. If for no other reason, the delayed delivery will help preserve residual values.
Worldwide, Volvo had 15,000 signed orders for its first 4x4 SUV before it even went into full production.
With production already at its maximum of 65,000 a year, demand for was not helped by the loss of 450 of them on the Tricolor car transporter which sunk in the English channel last month. Among its cargo of now salt-ridden motors, were 2,000 Volvos on their way to the US.
Just over 65 per cent of the yearly production of XC90s will go to the US, while 25 per cent is aimed at Europe and the remainder to the rest of the world markets.