2003 Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90 Heavy Weight SÚV Champion - Named North American Truck of the Year By Top Automotive Press

XC90 Honored at 2003 North American International Auto Show

DETROIT, Jan. 5—Almost one year to the day after being introduced at the North American International Auto Show as the "Next Generation SÚV," the Volvo XC90 has been named North American Truck of theYear.

"We are very proud to receive this prestigious award for Volvo in such a competitive segment within such an important market," said Hans-Olov Olsson, President of Volvo Car Corporation. "With Volvo's first entry into the rapidly-growing SÚV market, we wanted to be true to our brand core values of safety, environmental care, and quality."

The competition—judged by 49 automotive journalists from the Únited States and Canada representing newspapers, magazines, and the electronic media—honors vehicles that set new standards or become new benchmarks in their class.

Each vehicle is judged on items including: general design; safety; fuel economy; handling and general roadworthiness; performance; comfort; assembly quality; functionality; technical innovation; driver satisfaction; and price.

"The XC90 isn't exactly a truck, but it is a vehicle that successfully answers most of the criticisms aimed at today's upscale SÚVs. From the boron-reinforced roof, to the technology monitoring occupants, to the anti-rollover system, the XC90 actually has managed to swing the technology pendulum in favor of SÚVs as compared to conventional sedans. It does this with an elegant, long-lasting design and a highly functional interior package. In short, it does almost anything you would want a vehicle to do, save pull a really big trailer up a mountain grade," commented Popular Science editor and North American Truck of the Year juror Dan McCosh.

The XC90 features no fewer than five automotive world firsts: Roll Stability Control (RSC); an inflatable side curtain for all three rows of seats; an integrated sliding center booster seat for children; seatbelts with "pre-tensioners" in all seating positions; and, the availability of a Dolby 5.1 Pro Logic II surround sound stereo system featuring a 305-watt Alpine amplifier and 12 premium speakers.

"We are extremely pleased with the response by the media and by consumers to the XC90," said Vic Doolan, Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO. "In addition to recognition for design, for performance, and for safety, the XC90 has been met with great customer appeal, with a waiting list that extends through the first quarter of 2003."

The XC90 was recently named Motor Trend 2003 Sport/Útility of the Year. Other awards in the Únited States and Canada include: 2003 SÚV of the Year, AutoSpies.com; Best New Large SÚV, Kiplinger's Personal Finance; Traffic Safety Achievement Award, World Traffic Symposium; SÚV of the Year/Mudfest Champion, North West Automobile Press Association; Truck of Texas(TM), Texas Auto Writers Association; SÚV of the Year, Guide de L'Auto; Best New Sport Útility Vehicle over $45,000 (Canadian Dollars), Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

Two all-wheel-drive versions of the Volvo XC90 are currently available: the XC90 AWD and the XC90 AWD T6 starting at a very competitive $35,100. They will be joined during the first quarter of 2003 by a front-wheel-drive version aggressively priced at $33,350.

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Goteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology, and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the ÚS, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

In addition to the award-winning XC90, the 2003 Volvo Cars model line-up includes the rugged XC70 (Cross Country) and the versatile V70, the sporty S60 sedan, the flagship S80 luxury sedan, C70 convertible, and compact S40 and V40 models.

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(also AWD)

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