About a year ago, Gildshire Magazines’ Cars and Motorcycles entity asked the question “Would you subscribe to a Cadillac?” Apparently, enough drivers answered in the affirmative that Volvo is launching a similar type program. Called “Care by Volvo” the plan entails a flat fee taking care of most of the expenses of car ownership. It’s a Volvo subscription, as it were. Motor1 reports that subscription sales are moving along at a brisk pace.
News of the new program coincided with Volvo’s introduction of the new 2018 XC40, which made its sales debut in October. This week, the Volvo subscription service made its initial appearance in real life. They call it “Care by Volvo.”
You want to know how the service works, and more importantly, the monthly cost. So did we. This is what we learned.
Volvo subscription is available for this XC40
If we want to drive a new XC40 hassle-free for two years, it will set us back $600 a month. That sounds like a lot of money. However, before we say a firm “no” to this new approach to vehicle ownership, let’s take a closer look at what we get for that kind of coin.
Care by Volvo is a simple, all-inclusive vehicle acquisition process not unlike a lease. Except it’s better than a lease, in that it also covers all maintenance, including wear-and-tear items like tires and windshield wipers. Also included, 24/7 roadside assistance and (this is our favorite part) insurance. The key selling points for the program are simplicity and convenience, as it’s all handled online with customers simply choosing the vehicle they want and placing the order. There’s no haggling, no hidden extras, no down payments, and pretty much no waiting. Place your order take your new ride from your Volvo dealer and drive away. The only extra expenditures are for taxes and registration, both of which will vary by state.
You’ve heard of gas it and go! That’s pretty much what Volvo subscription is striving to become.
“This sounds like one of those ultra-low miles leases that carmakers try to stick us with. I won’t lease because I want to actually drive my car.”
Sweden’s favorite car company thought of that when they came up with care by Volvo. Terms are for two years, with 15,000 miles allowed per year. At the end of the term, customers can simply choose to re-up into a new vehicle, which Volvo said can also happen any time after the first year. Insurance is provided through Liberty Mutual with a $500 deductible for both comprehensive and collision coverage.
Is this the next big thing in car ownership? It might be. We never thought all-electric would catch on, but that’s gaining ground, as well. The car industry is changing faster than it has since Henry Ford’s assembly line. We’ll keep you posted.
