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VOLVO

Sweden’s Volvo gears up to play with the big boys

Swedish carmaker Volvo, owned by the Chinese Geely group, said on Friday it had turned the corner towards becoming a major international player as it posted record unit sales.

Published: 9 January 2016 14:07 CET
Sweden's Volvo gears up to play with the big boys
Volvo sold over half a million cars in 2015. Photo: AP

Volvo said it had sold over half a million cars in 2015 – 503,127 exactly – its highest annual sales figure ever, representing a rise of eight percent over the previous year.

The sales data mark the end of the first stage of Volvo's recovery, begun after it emerged from a loss-making period in 2013.

“Volvo is about to enter the second phase of its global transformation. Once completed, Volvo will have ceased being a minor automotive player and taken its position as a truly global premium car company,” company chief Haakan Samuelsson said in a statement.

“More records will tumble in coming years,” he said.

Volvo has made no secret of its ambition to compete head-on with leading global high-end brands Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar.

Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler reported Friday record sales of over 1.8 million vehicles last year.

RETAIL

France extends its winter sales as shops struggle with impact of 6pm curfew

France has extended its winter sales period by two weeks after a request from shops struggling with the loss of revenue due to the 6pm curfew.

Published: 15 February 2021 10:28 CET
France extends its winter sales as shops struggle with impact of 6pm curfew
Photo: AFP

The winter sales – pushed from their original start date at the beginning of January – had been due to end on Tuesday, February 16th.

However the French finance ministry has announced the extension of the sales period until March 2nd.

The decision “compensates for the impact of the 6pm curfew by allowing customers to spread out their purchases” and comes after a request from retailers, such a spokesman.

Retailers have reported the sales have been much less busy than usual as customers opt to avoid crowded places.

Also impacting on stores is the closure, from January 31st, of shopping centres and department stores more than 20,000 square metres and the 6pm curfew, which has curtailed the usually busy evening shopping period.

Sales in France are strictly regulated and the summer and winter sales take place on dates set by the government.

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