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Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo is looking to increase sales in India by around 50% this year to about 1,200 units and will launch its new model 'V40 Cross Country' by June.
In order to push sales, the company's Indian arm Volvo Auto India has roped in golfer Jeev Milkha Singh as its Brand Ambassador.
"Last year we sold about 800 units and the target for this year is around 1,100 to 1,200 units," Volvo Auto India Managing Director Tomas Ernberg told PTI.
In the first quarter of this year, the company has sold 276 units, up 140% from the year-ago period, he added.
When asked if the company planned to start assembling its vehicles in India, he said: "We will continue to import completely built units. Yes, in the long run, we would need to assemble here. Our target is to sell 20,000 units per annum by 2020 in India, by then it will be good to have assembly operations."
On the new model launch plans, Ernberg said: "In June this year we will launch our V40 Cross Country model and it will compete directly with BMW's X1."
BMW's crossover vehicle X1 priced between Rs 27.9 lakh and Rs 32.5 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
Currently, Volvo Auto India sells four models, XC90, XC60 (SUVs) and S80 and S60 (sedans) here.
Ernberg said roping in Singh as a brand ambassador is part of the company's strategy to boost sales. "As a part of this association Jeev will be driving the Volvo XC90."
