In an important development arising out from the increasing input cost pressures, Swedish carmaker Volvo has gone ahead with a reduction in the safety equipment for its 2020 Model year lineup. Even in the hotly contested luxury segment, the customers are closely examining the price of the model and this might have prompted Volvo to cut down the safety feature on its cars.
Take, for instance, the Volvo 2020 model lineup range consisting of XC90, S90, XC60, and V90 Cross Country. The top-level Inscription Variants of these models have now come devoid of a number of safety features. Prominent among the missing are the cross-traffic alert and blind-spot information system. Even some of these mentioned models have discontinued the feature of the heated rear seat. In addition, Volvo has discontinued the heads-up display and power-foldable rear backrest features.
The cost-cutting has been implemented on the color scheme too as magic blue paint option is no longer available on the aforementioned models. XC90 now comes with black color diamond cut alloy wheels instead of the silver alloys which were available on the outgoing model. The feature of an air suspension, previously available on the XC60, has also been discontinued in the interest of keeping the cost in check. Just so you know, the sales of the model year 2020 variants of the Volvo in the Indian market have already been started since October last month.
It will be interesting to witness how the customers perceive the impact of these changes on the safety proposition of the Volvo – which in fact is the USP of the brand. By shortening the list of safety features, Volvo has taken a calculated risk in order to balance value against the price. Whether this gamble will pay off or not, only the coming time will tell.
