Volvo has announced plans to pull its S60 sedan from the U.S. market, and do it quickly. Automakers usually give buyers several months of notice of a model’s end. But Volvo will end production of the S60 for the U.S. market at the end of June. Versions sold here are currently made at Volvo’s factory in South Carolina. That plant is now producing the new EX90 electric SUV.
The company will continue to build the car for other markets. But a spokesperson told Car and Driver, “There are no plans to import S60s into the U.S.”
V60 wagon production will continue, reports Road and Track.
The S60 debuted in 2000 and survived through three generations. Its strong-shouldered design updated the boxy motif Volvo fans had known for decades. It helped cement the brand’s American reputation as not just a manufacturer of safe cars, but a conservative luxury car builder.
Today’s S60 is known for comfortable seats, a well-balanced ride, and an excellent plug-in hybrid version that gets up to 41 miles on electric power before shifting to gasoline.
But electric power brought its end. The move comes as America’s tastes shift away from sedans and Volvo moves toward its goal of being all-electric by 2030. The company has no electric sedan planned but has focused its efforts on its electric vehicles (EVs), like its new EX90 flagship SUV and the surprisingly affordable EX30 subcompact SUV.
Sedan lovers will still find one sedan in Volvo’s U.S. lineup. The luxurious S90 is, however, the brand’s slowest-selling model. So, the writing may be on the wall for that model as well. In April, Volvo sold about 2,300 S60s and less than 100 S90s.
Ordinarily, we would use this chance to explain that dealers are often willing to accept lower offers for discontinued models because they want to clear lot space for vehicles the manufacturer still plans to advertise. But Volvo’s sudden cancellation of the S60 means the thin supply on dealer lots today won’t be refilled.
If you’re considering an S60 now, act fast.
