Volvo Adds Dealer Inventory to Subscription Program
Volvo dealers will soon be allowed to pull new vehicles off their lots and into the Care by Volvo sub service, a significant change that leads a list of reported revisions to the embattled program.

Some variants of the S60, V60, XC60, and XC90 have joined the XC40 in the Care by Volvo subscription program.
(Bobit) — Multiple media outlets report Volvo has made sweeping changes to its Care by Volvo subscription program, driven in part by complaints and legal challenges from dealers. The two-year service offers unlimited usage, insurance, concierge, and service and maintenance for a monthly charge that does not include gas, local taxes, or registration.
The changes are expected to take effect nationwide by the end of 2019, starting with 11 New Jersey dealerships in October. For the first time, dealers will be allowed to pull units out of inventory and into the program; formerly, every subscription vehicle was ordered from the factory by each new subscriber.
Read: 5 Ways Subscriptions Will Change Your Dealership
Volvo also added the S60 sedan, V60 Cross Country Adventure wagon, XC60 CUV, and XC90 SUV to the Care by Volvo selector, which was initially limited to the XC40 SUV, available in Momentum trim for $600 per month and TR R-Design trim for $700.
The monthly prices for those two models are now $700 and $750, respectively. The S60 Momentum is also available for $700 per month and the S60 R-Design, XC60 Momentum, and V60 Cross Country Adventure join the XC40 T5 R-Design in the $750 tier. The XC90 is available in Momentum trim for $800 per month.
Notably absent are Volvo’s flagship S90 sedan, the V90 Cross Country wagon, and any top-of-the-line Inscription editions.
Reports suggest Volvo will no longer rely solely on a group insurance policy issued by Liberty Mutual, which prevented some higher-risk drivers from joining the program.
Someone is making a mountain out of a molehill. If we have done something wrong, we will change it.
In December, the California New Car Dealers Association sued the factory, claiming unfair competition in violation of state franchise laws. The CNCDA suit also accuses Volvo of de facto payment packing stemming from the fact that every subscriber pays the same monthly price, whatever their risk to the insurer.
Volvo Car USA CEO Anders Gustafsson downplayed the lawsuit, which triggered an ongoing investigation by the California DMV. He accused the CNCDA of picking on Volvo, a relatively small player among North American brands, as a test case.
“Someone is making a mountain out of a molehill,” Gustafsson told Automotive News. “If we have done something wrong, we will change it. We don’t think we have done anything wrong, and it has never been our intention.”
Read: CNCDA: Care by Volvo Violates Payment Packing, Franchise Rules
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →