Volvo to launch next XC60; to hike dealers to 12 by 09

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo Car India today said it will soon launch its new compact-sized crossover --the XC60-- in the country, with the plans to expand the company's dealership base in India to 12 from the present four.

''We will launch the XC60 next...but I cannot give you a fixed time table for it...We plan to put Volvo on the map and focus on right dealership across the country,'' company Managing Director Paul De Boijs told reporters here.

Denying any plans to establish a manufacturing unit or assembly plant in the country, he said the company is looking at towns such as Kochi, Bengalore, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Jaipur to increase its distribution network.

The new car from the company is slated for European debut next month, after which it will be launched in India.

''We have a portfolio of 10 products and in due course of time, we will be bringing them in India,'' he said.

Asked whether the global turmoil has had any effect on the company's sale prospects, Mr Boijs said, ''people in the top-end segment are not affected by the credit crisis...the luxury segment is to be affected at last.'' UNI AK SG DS1625