2005 was spent gathering our forces here at Volvo Cars. The big news was the Volvo C70 convertible with its three-piece hardtop. Sales totalled 443,947 cars after a strong first half-year. We implemented a range of measures designed to reduce our costs and improve efficiency. It’s a process that will continue in 2006, allowing us to focus even more strongly on our core values and meet the future from a position of strength. The long-term sales goal of 600,000 cars a year stands firm. I am convinced that we are going to succeed. We have a highly respected and powerful brand. And our broad car range with its attractive models is continuously supplemented with intelligent and effective variants. The proportion of economical and clean models is increasing steadily. Our new diesel engines are of absolute top class. Sales of Flexifuel and Bi-Fuel cars are increasing. As future demands emerge, we stand ready to meet them. The sporty little Volvo C30 will be released in 2006, as will a new generation of the Volvo S80 and a whole range of other interesting new products. That is why I am looking back on our past with respect and looking ahead with confidence. Fredrik Arp
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Volvo Car Corporation |