The Volvo XC40 is a monumentally important vehicle in many ways. Volvo has never sold a compact SUV before, so the XC40 will push the brand into a new, millennial-friendly segment for the first time. It’s also the first product to ride atop Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which, moving forward, will underpin multiple 40-series models as well as the brand’s first fully-electric car. In addition to all that, the XC40 will usher in a new subscription service called Care by Volvo that could change the way we purchase and maintain our cars forever.
In a nutshell, Care by Volvo bundles vehicle cost, insurance payments, service fees, and taxes into one monthly fee, which in theory makes vehicle ownership as hassle free as having a mobile phone. Given the XC40’s target demographic of smartphone-fixated young people, it’s the perfect vehicle to launch this type of service alongside.
“With Care by Volvo, we introduce a new car access for the modern age,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo. “In a time where consumers are used to transparent flat-fees for all sort of services, the traditional process of buying and owning a car can be perceived [as] rather complicated. Care by Volvo changes all of that.”
In addition to subverting the traditional car-buying model, Care by Volvo offers several ancillary benefits including fueling, cleaning, and service pick-up. Also, buyers will have the option of “renting” another Volvo vehicle for short periods — say you’d rather have a larger XC90 for a weekend, for example — and the program also allows owners to get a new car every 24 months. Owners may also share their car with friends and family by using the Care by Volvo app as a digital key.
Volvo claims that price negotiation is one of the least-liked elements of vehicle ownership, so Care by Volvo eliminates the practice altogether. While few people truly enjoy haggling over costs at a dealer, this could be a major downside for those who prefer angling for a better price.
As to how Volvo’s new subscription service will be received by the market, and whether drivers will conclude that the convenience of hassle-free shopping will offset the savings that can sometimes be achieved through negotiations, time will tell.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?