IRVINE, CA – The new Volvo XC60 has its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with the first cars reaching dealers in Europe in fall 2008. The small premium utility segment is growing quickly, and within the next few years, buyers will have at least 10 crossover models to choose from. By 2009, this segment is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 units.

The big safety news is City Safety — a system that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic. If the car is about to strike the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car automatically applies the brakes.

The new XC60 will be available in the United States with Volvo’s six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine, producing 281 horsepower. All-wheel drive with instant traction is fitted as standard on all variants. Volvo’s engineers developed the XC60’s chassis settings for aggressively sporty handling that promotes a feeling of safety and control. At the same time, the suspension has been tuned to provide a smooth and comfortable ride befitting a luxury crossover.

The sales target for the new XC60 is 50,000 units per year. Distribution between Europe and North America is about 40 percent each. The remaining 20 percent is destined for other global markets. The five largest markets during the peak year 2010 are expected to be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and China.

The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Sales will start in Europe during the fall of 2008, while sales in North America are targeted to begin in early 2009.