New Volvo Australia boss supports V8 Supercars programme

The new Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia, Kevin McCann, has confirmed his support for the current V8 Supercars programme of Volvo.
“I have inherited it and it is a package that is already existing and working and the feedback that I am getting is it is working very well. I think we will continue to look for more and better leverage points to make sure of it,” said McCann to v8supercars.com.

Volvo entered V8 Supercars this season under the Volvo Polestar Racing banner with drivers Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren.

Manufacturer support in V8 Supercars has been a hot topic for a while with the uncertainty around Ford and Holden as their Australian manufacturing of cars is about to end, as well as Mercedes’ support to Erebus Motorsport.

McCann on the other hand underlines his support for Volvo to utilize V8 Supercars to promote its products.

“I think that a brand like Volvo – which is a very well established brand – has a very deep appreciation and position in the Australian market. But its products probably no longer reflect the classic perceptions that it has and motorsport gives us a pivotal point to reposition the perception.

“Sport is really a big part of our lives and if we want to communicate with the Australian public then sport is an ideal way to go. Now we are a car company so probably the most direct sport we can become involved with in a competitive sense is motorsport and if we can add that involvement, that active engagement with the marketing elements and the sponsorship elements it also comes with, then it should be a good thing for us.”

McCann, who has previously worked with Audi’s involvement in the Australian Super Touring Championship, takes over from previous Volvo Car Australia MD Matt Braid.