Volvo is looking to become the third highest luxury seller in India by 2020.
Last year, Audi overtook Mercedes to become the second top-seller in the Indian car market; while BMW continues to lead them both.
But, as Sudeep Narayan, PR director of Volvo Auto India, told India's Economic Times, "We are looking to dislodge somebody from the third slot by 2020."
The Swedish brand, which is owned by the Chinese Geely company and has only been in India since 2007, has an ambitious plan; and they'll need one.
Currently, according to the Economic Times, Volvo sells just 326 units a year in India. Its short-term goal for the year is to increase that number to 800 (the top-selling luxury brand, BMW, sold 2,088 units in the first quarter of the year)
Four Volvo models are currently available on the Indian market - the S60 and S80 sedans and the XC60 and XC90 crossovers. According to IndianBikesCars, an automotive website, the S60 and XC60 are better sellers than their more expensive counterparts.
"The main reason for Volvo India struggling to match German rival in terms of sales despite having well engineered products is the small dealership penetration and low brand awareness in the Indian car market," the website says.
Volvo currently has eight dealerships in India, and the Times says that three more are opening this year. IndianCarsBikes says that the company plans to open 2-3 dealerships a year in the coming years.
The company will increase its public profile with such ventures as sponsoring the Lakme Fashion Week.
Volvo is also said to be scouting locations for an assembly plant in India. This would reduce import duties (they will still be charged on parts) and allow the company to price its cars more competitively.
BMW, Audi, and Mercedes already manufacture cars on Indian soil.
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