Fans of the big-booted Volvo V60 and V90 estate cars in Britain are rejoicing after their campaign to bring back the load-luggers persuaded the Swedish brand to change its mind about axing the models in favour of SUVs.
It is rare for a manufacturer to cave to consumer pressure and bring back a car after phasing it out. After both cars were withdrawn nearly a year ago, leaving lovers of the left-field family car in the lurch, Volvo says it has now resumed taking orders for the cars.
Volvo said it responded to media articles and emails from irked customers who complained they did not want to switch to an SUV and pledged to switch to another car brand if the estate did return.
"We were thrilled by the many comments from customers and media last year, with many stories and memories of how our estate cars have been a huge part of their lives," Volvo said in a statement.
The company told the Times newspaper that it was "blown away" by the outpouring of enthusiasm for the vehicle. Hundreds of people contacted Volvo about the phase out. One owner wrote that he had owned eight Volvo estates down the years.
Volvo said both cars were deleted last August amid falling demand for estate cars but admitted to seeing a resurgence in interest in its estate products in recent months.
Both V60 and V90 will go on sale again in Britain in the next few weeks, with the V60 offered in mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid trim. The bigger V90 is a plug-in hybrid only.
Both models are getting long in the tooth and it is unclear how much longer they will still be around. The V60 was launched in 2018 and the V90 in 2016 and are still being sold in some other markets.
