Bangkok--20 May--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Volvo Car Corporation showcases the future of Swedish Innovation through “Volvo XC60 Concept”, the futuristic vehicle that is full of design innovation. Steve Mattin, Volvo’s design director who is in charge of the design team, also joins the event to disclose his vision and inspiration in designing this unique and radiant concept car.
It is an exclusive event for every attendant as Volvo Car (Thailand) has brought this daring and emotionally charged “Volvo XC60 Concept” to showcase in Thailand, the one and only visit in Southeast Asia.
And to make this event more special, Steve Mattin, Senior Vice President of Volvo Car Corporation and the design director who is responsibility in designing the exciting XC60 Concept, shows up and talks about how he has successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless and functional elegance.
Mr.Steve Mattin explains that “With this concept car, we’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars’ visual volume,” Then he adds: “With more expressive, emotive shapes, it will be a magnet for the viewer’s eyes. If you say that you recognise a Volvo from 50 metres today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot it from twice that distance in the future.”
“The XC60 Concept is very much a car for the future. It not only offers the world a sneak preview of the next XC model to come from Volvo Cars. The concept car is also full of design innovation and it reveals several design elements that will be part of Volvo cars in years to come,” says Mr.Mattin
Volvo XC60 Concept uses the same six-cylinder, in-line petrol engine that was introduced in the new Volvo S80 in 2006. The engine has been optimised for E85. This gives 265 horsepower and 251 lb/ft (340 Nm) of torque and acceleration from 0—60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is approximately 143 mph (228 km/h). Fuel economy when running on E85 is 19.2 mpg (12.3 litres/100 km) making the vehicle a competitive figure for this type car.
As for Steve Mattin, he is now Senior Vice President — Design of Volvo Car Corporation. Growing up in Bedfordshire, England, he thought at first that he wanted to be an architect but his father was fascinated by cars, and started taking him and his younger brother to England’s biggest car show every year since he was very young. Steve has become more and more patently passionate about cars and design since then. When talks about inspiration, Steve said everything is grist to his mill. Even the tiniest detail can etch itself somewhere in our memory and come in useful at a later date.
Information:
- Volvo Car Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, managed under the luxury brand division of Ford known as the Premier Automotive Group (PAG), and is headquartered in Gothenburg Sweden.
- PAG, an operating division of Ford Motor Company, includes the luxury brands of Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
- Volvo Cars has been present in Thailand since 1962, firstly through an independent importer/distributor, and then through a wholly owned National Sales Company, Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd., since 1971, taking over distribution from SMC in 1999. VCT now employs some 48 people.
- A local assembly (CKD) factory, Thai Swedish Assemblies (TSA) was established in 1976 and today builds the globally successful Volvo XC90, Volvo S80, Volvo S60 and Volvo V70 models in Thailand, employing some 300 people.
- Volvo Cars also offer the spectacular all-new Volvo C70 retractable hard-top coupe/convertible as a fully imported sports car
- Volvo is represented in retailing by 12 authorized dealers operating 14 outlets, nationwide. 7 in the Bangkok metropolitan area and 7 in up-country locations as follows, Wearnes (with locations in Hua Mark and Lard Phrao), SMC Motors (with locations in Sukhumvit 22 an Silom) Gothenburg Automobiles, Phaholyothin; Viking Motors, (with locations in Charoennakorn); Scandinavian Auto; Ramindra, and ChiangMai Sweden Motor; ChiangMai, Nitiboon Sales and Services; Pitsanuloke, Khon Kaen CharoenSri; Khon Kaen, Thepnakorn Car; Nakornrajasrima, Nokornpathom Motor; Nakornpathom, and SMC Motors; Cholburi, Hat Yai Auto; Hat Yai.
- For more information on Volvo Cars' products and services, please refer to www.volvocars.co.th , or contact your nearest authorised dealer.
- For free video content please go to www.media.volvocars.com and click on 'Broadcast Room' to preview and request video. If you haven’t already used this site, please take a moment to register. Once your registration is approved, you can order broadcast-standard video digitally or by tape. Registration and video is free to the media.
For more information please contact:
Khun Waralee Bunnag
Senior Communications Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Tel: +66-2-205-6627
Mobile: +66-81-643-1117
Email: [email protected]
Khun Surasa Khlai-Aksorn
Communications Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Tel: +66-2-205-6626
Mobile: +66-81-638-3862
Fax: +66-2-205-6686
Email: [email protected]
Khun Chantana Vatanaromya
Vice President, Marketing
Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: +66-2-319-9820
Fax: +66-2-719-9451
Email: [email protected]
Khun Nuttha Jittrakorn
Marketing Administrative Officer
Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: +66-2-319-9820
Fax: +66-2-719-9451
Email: [email protected]
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