Volvo S60 Ending U.S. Production, Sales
Another sedan is about to meet its demise on our market. At the end of the month, Volvo plans on ending production of the S60 in South Carolina and there has been confirmation that the model will not be imported.
The good news is that the facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina, will remain operational so that it can produce the rather-large EX90. While the S60 will continue to be manufactured in China, Volvo recently told Car and Driver that it has no intention of exporting the model back into our market.
"The S60 is still being produced currently as a MY25 vehicle and is available at Volvo retailers across the country,” explained a corporate representative. “Customers interested in the S60 are encouraged to reach out to their local retailer or visit volvocars.com/us to learn more."
Looking at the whole of Volvo’s 60 Series, sales have trended down in recent years. But it has likewise been eliminating gasoline models, contributing to the steepening sales decline. The only survivors have been the plug-in and mild-hybrid variants of the V60 and XC60. While Volvo claims to still be going all-electric by 2030, it still produces a fair number of vehicles that are at least partially reliant on the combustion engine.
Priced to compete with other compact luxury vehicles, the S60 actually undercuts many models in the segment that would be considered bargains. However, it’s not the most engaging platform to drive and it also misses the mark on practicality. Perhaps showing its Chinese roots, the current S60 seems to prioritize comfort above literally everything else. However, the plug-in variant does offer an impressive amount of power — even if that doesn’t translate into an engaging drive.
This one likely wasn’t a lot of hardcore enthusiasts’ favorite. But it’s still a little sad to see our market lose yet another sedan.
[Images: Volvo Cars]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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At one time the Swedish auto industry was a world power. In many respects they produced better cars than Detroit. Alas, the Swedish industry barely exists as a independent entity today. Volvo has basically become a Chinese company.
Volvo parts were rediculously expensive. That's what I remember.