The Volvo stand at this year’s Los Angeles motor show press event doesn't feature any cars on it – with the Swedish firm saying it is instead using the event to explore how the concept of a car will change in the future.
In place of a selection of its newest vehicles, the focal point of Volvo's stand for the Automobility LA event at the Los Angeles Convention Centre is a sign reading ‘This is not a car’.
LA motor show 2018: cars that will be at the show
Marten Levenstam, Volvo’s product strategy boss, said the decision was partly inspired by event organisers calling the show’s press days Automobility LA, incorporating a series of events exploring future car technology.
Levanstam said that Volvo “got the memo” and wanted to “start a conversation about the future of automobility. So instead of bringing a car, we talk about the concept of a car.”
Volvo’s stand features a series of interactive displays focusing on services it is developing for the future, including connectivity, autonomous driving and in-car delivery services.
The bold decision to show no cars on the stand allowed Volvo to concentrate on telling us how technology will revolutionise our relationship with it. Nothing so new with the idea, but there was new in the detail. Instead of discussing a concept car, said chief strategist Morten Levenstam, Volvo wants to discuss the concept of the car, and bring back some of the freedoms it originally provided.
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What's that noise?
It's the sound of Volvo disppearing up its own (increasingly pretentious) a*se.
If cars are such a "problem", stop building them. "Mobility solutions" already exist - they're known as trains, buses, taxis, bicycles... and walking.
WTF is an "in-car delivery service"!?
XLR8 wrote:
Its a service were companies, say Amazon for instance are given a one time code, so they can drop off parcels into your car boot whilst you are not there, they already operate a service were they can get access to peoples houses to drop them off
https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com/news/delivery/amazon-launches-in-car-delivery-service-in-the-usa.html
Daring or Dumb?
Considering that the S60 is now home grown LA would be a great place to launch the car as well as dialog with potential customers.
Half the truth
I believe Volvo is being 'economical with the truth'. It seems they will not have cars on their stand for the media days, but as soon as the public are let in a few days later, then cars will magically appear.
Perhaps Autocar should actually call Volvo before blindly reporting half of the facts?