Volvo soars to third place in Korea’s imported car market in September

The XC60 SUV largely contributes to Volvo’s car sales. [VOLVO CARS KOREA]

In September, while the overall sales of imported cars in Korea declined slightly, Volvo Cars Korea saw a 44 percent increase in sales compared to the previous month and a 77 percent increase on year.

In turn, Volvo secured third place in the import car sales ranking, following Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as reported by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (Kaida), with 1,555 units sold that month.

This remarkable increase in sales is largely attributed to the sales of XC60, Volvo's globally best-selling sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The XC60 ranked second among imported car models, following the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and took the top position in the imported SUV category in the domestic market for the month of September.

Notably, the 2024 Volvo XC60 is equipped with an upgraded infotainment service “T Map Infotainment Service 2.0” that was developed jointly with T Map Mobility.

Using the voice-activated AI “Aria,” which boasts a 96 percent recognition rate, divers can easily control various infotainment services including navigation, climate settings and phone calls.

The Personalized Routine function, which combines a couple of frequently used commands under a single command word, also guarantees customizable service while on the road.

Following this, sequential updates are planned to eventually enable in-car payments, where payments can be made without having to leave the vehicle, and streaming services will be provided by the end of the year.

Volvo also continuously strives to keep its reputation as a family-friendly, safe vehicle maker.

The XC60 obtained the highest rating (Top Safety Pick+), in the crash safety tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States last year.

The vehicle is equipped with a suite of safety features, including City Safety, which detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and any other potential hazards to enable emergency braking in dangerous situations.

The Pilot Assist function assists in maintaining a safe distance from other cars and ensures the vehicle stays in the center of the road.

The exterior of the XC60 displays a dynamic body coupled with elegant styling. The LED headlights, which resemble Thor's hammer, boldly represent the Swedish automobile’s identity.

In particular, the flagship Ultimate Bright model features natural wood trim, underscoring the nature-friendly vibe of the interior design, which evokes a Nordic ambiance.

BY KIM SU-HYEON [kim.suhyeon4@joongang.co.kr]