Volvo Considering Small Car to Take on Mini and Audi A1

VolvoVolvoSweden, 1927 > present49 models
4535 photos
6 videos
is looking for a way to build a smaller car that would compete aginst the Mini CooperMINI (BMW) MINI Gen.2 [56]Germany, 2007 > 201377 versions
225 photos
2 videos
and Audi A1Audi A1Germany, 2010 > present167 versions
306 photos
2 videos
. The problem is that it does not have enough money to develop a chassis for the compact vehicle or an engine that would fit in it. It is looking for partners that it may be able to develop the components worth. Another possibility is that Volvo will work with parent company GeelyGeelyChina, 1986 > present5 models
6 photos
on the new car. 

"Premium customers no longer define luxury based on the size of the car or number of cylinders, there are other attributes which will come into play," said Volvo CEO  Stefan Jacoby.

Sales of primium small cars like the A1 are up 19% in Europe last year and up 10% so far this year. 

Volvo's smallest car at the moment is the V40Volvo V40 (modern) Gen.1Sweden, 2013 > present214 versions
390 photos
, which competes with the 1 SeriesBMW 1 Series Gen.2 [F20] Germany, 2011 > present130 versions
247 photos
. 

"My priority is to bring the Scalable Platform Architecture online and to renew Volvo's core ranges, the 60, the 80/90 and the SUVs. When I have managed this, I will look to diversification, going into niches, doing sporty versions and also looking to smaller cars," said Jacoby. 

Source: Automotive News Europe