Swedish auto company Volvo has officially entered the Indian market with six variants of its two Volvo car models kicking off in India.

Volvo’s two flagship products, the Volvo S80 luxury sedan and Volvo XC90 Sports Utility Vehicle, are the first Volvo models to be marketed as Volvo Car India is opening its sales program in the country. Both models will feature three different engine options: the 4.4-liter petrol V8, the 3.2-liter petrol in-line six-cylinder and the 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel in-line five-cylinder, the D5.

The launch of these two models is a product of an extensive three-year research, according to Paul de Voijs, managing director for Volvo Car India. The entry of more Volvo cars in the future heavily depends on the success of the Volvo parts of the two products.

“Volvo Cars is now starting up operations in India, a country with huge potential. We are proud to be able to offer two of our top car models to our Indian customers,” said De Voijs.

“India is an exciting market and the luxury car segment is growing exponentially here. Now is the perfect moment for us to enter the market,” said De Voijs.

De Voijs added that Volvo’s foray into the Indian luxury car section has been a perfect timing as this segment of the market has been steadily increasing in the last two years.

India has been experiencing very favorable economic growth with low inflation and a stable currency. Total automotive sales in the Indian market are projected to rise from one million cars per year to 1.6 million over the next four years.

The Volvo cars, including Volvo parts and Volvo accessories, will start on sale through three dealerships in the capital city New Delhi, and cities Mumbai and Chandigarh. The dealerships will begin in autumn this year. This will increase to nine by the end of 2008. In the future, Volvo also plans to bring in its other sedans C60 and C80 to India.

The recently inaugurated headquarters of Volvo Car India is located in New Delhi. The office was opened on September 2 in line with Indian tradition. The opening ceremony was headed by the Minister of Transport of the Haryana Government, Mr. Rao Dan Singh, the Ambassador of Sweden in India, Mr. Lars-Olof Lindgren, and Mr. Fredrik Fexe, Swedish Trade Commissioner.