With a plug-in hybrid diesel drivetrain, the Volvo V60 is absolutely unique on the market. There’s no other car like it, and for this reason alone, it deserves commercial success. If only it would be more affordable. On the French market, the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid is 38% more expensive than a Chevrolet Volt. Quite substantial money, and exactly the same price than a Lexus GS450h, which is significantly upmarket. And yet, there are customers. In Holland, Belgium or Italy, sales have been above Volvo’s expectations.

The manufacturer must increase its production, raising it from 150 cars per week to 282. I remember that two years ago, Volvo wasn’t sure it could sell 4,000 cars per year. It now plans to sell 7,600 cars this year, and 10,000 in 2014. With several European countries in a recession, these are news few people expected!