There was a time when no one drove a car. It simply hadn’t been invented yet. People rode horses or walked. Alternatively, there was still the horse-drawn carriage. For us “people of today” it is difficult to imagine our lives like that. What would happen if there were no more cars tomorrow? How would we get to work? How would we transport our shopping? We would probably have massive problems switching to horse-drawn carriages. It would be a surreal and alienating situation.
It must have felt similar to the people of that time when the first automobile drove through their village. A strange object with which they had no experience. The car was there!
At that time, there was no talk of SUVs, roadsters, estate cars or compact cars for city traffic. The car was simply … the car! Over time, this changed: Development progressed, car manufacturers sprang up like mushrooms. Some survived only a short time, others later went bankrupt. And a small handful managed to keep winning the favour of their customers. We are very proud to represent one of these companies.
What we are getting at, however, is something quite different: when manufacturers found themselves competing for the favour of buyers, they had to come up with something to survive. And suddenly it was clear that building a car would not be enough in the long run. It was the time when carmakers were increasingly concerned about their customers. What do they value? It quickly became clear that not all people had the same needs. And it was no longer enough for them to have a car. It should fit you. They soon started talking about target groups. And finally, the range became more and more colourful. Some equipped their vehicles with more luxury. Others focused on speed and sportiness. Over time, couples with children also found more and more models that were tailored to their needs. There were times when people thought the development was finished. Until someone came along and rewrote the rules. A famous example is the so-called “pony car”, which caused a sensation in the sixties (and not only) in the USA. The SUV, a more recent invention, is also proof that the history of the automobile is far from over.
There is a lot of talk these days about alternative drive systems. A development in which Volvo is one of the pioneers, as well as in questions of safety. But they are also part of the integration of high-tech solutions to enhance safety and comfort. Our air purification system, which removes up to 95 per cent of harmful particles from the air before it gets inside the car, is also proof that high-tech is no longer limited to things like electric windows.
So if you want to buy a car today, the choice is very, very big. In the past, it was difficult to find a “different car”. Today, the problem is rather to discover the model in the flood of offers that you will be happy with in the long term. At Hüsser & Palkoska AG we are very aware of this. After all, we have been around for a long time and have “seen a lot of water flow over the mountain”. So how can we help you find the right car?
A short excursion into the vehicle types at Volvo Baar
In the course of time, you learn many things. One of them is the art of listening. Our goal is not and never has been to sell the next customer the “car back there because it’s just there”. We always took time for our guests and listened carefully. In the end, we knew what was really important to them. And then we helped them find the right car. What could something like that look like?
First of all: Volvo Baar’s programme can be roughly divided into three categories: Sedans, station wagons and SUVs. All three vehicle types are associated with great space. What else?
SUVs
Some also refer to these cars as “off-road vehicles”. Frankly, we don’t quite agree with that. If you want to answer the “call of the wild”, an SUV can take you comfortably to the “edge of the wilderness”. However, we would not recommend abusing, for example, a Volvo XC90 as a “mountain chamois”. It is not designed for that and that applies to all SUVs.
Volvo’s SUVs are true space wonders, combining high spaciousness with the comfort of a luxury sedan. They are perfect, for example, if you are planning trips with the whole family. There is also more than enough room for the dog or even two dogs plus luggage. They are also a great way to go on holiday. On the downside, SUVs have a reputation for not being particularly compact. Sure, all that space has to come from somewhere. But is an SUV really that big? When you buy a car from Volvo, there are three SUVs to choose from: XC90, XC60 and XC40. The XC90 is the top model and offers the most space. However, it is not exactly small. Those who regularly manoeuvre in city traffic and then also need a parking space could be at a disadvantage here. Don’t get us wrong: the XC90 copes perfectly with any parking space in front of supermarkets or company buildings. However, it is not the ideal car if you want to “slip into the smallest parking space”. Physics cannot be outwitted here.
The XC60 is a little more compact. Those who don’t want it to be quite so big could discover their dream car here. In principle, the XC60 is a “shrunken XC90”. You don’t have to sacrifice anything that distinguishes the top model, luxury and comfort as far as the eye can see. What’s more, it offers more than enough space for most situations. That leaves the XC40 …
To call the Volvo XC40 the baby of the family would be doing it an injustice. It has a lot of advantages that are usually only found in the “big SUVs”. However, it is considerably smaller. This means that it is not suitable if you want to drive a “space miracle on four wheels”. Instead, it appeals to people who want to enjoy SUV looks and comfort in a smaller space. It is also less expensive than its big brothers.
Limousines
Take a car, give it four doors and a large boot: the limousine is ready! That could be the simple recipe for this type of vehicle. If it weren’t for the word “luxury saloon” that persistently haunts the world. A description that definitely applies to the Volvo S90 and S60. Both are ideal for singles and couples who like to be comfortable and enjoy a spacious boot. The businessman and commercial traveller who spends many hours a day in the car will also find their ideal vehicle. Of course, limousines are also suitable for families. However, if you want to travel to Italy with two children and a dog, there might not be enough space.
Estate cars
There are times when a sedan has too little space and an SUV is too big. Then the hour of the estate car has come. Externally closely related to the saloons, they can be recognised by their “extended rear end”. Where the sedan’s lines point downwards, the station wagon goes a little further straight ahead. The result is a larger boot. Now not only the children fit in the car, but also the luggage and the water bowl for the dog. Sales representatives who carry samples of goods and similar items should also take a look at Volvo station wagons when buying a car. Especially since Volvos are true methuselahs that like to drive 800,000 kilometres and more without leaving their owners. If you buy a car from Volvo Baar, you will enjoy it for a very long time!
The power
Life was much easier when the question of the drive was settled with “diesel or petrol? We live in the age of alternative drive concepts. At Volvo Baar, you can choose between fully electric, hybrid and mild hybrid. Each variant has its own characteristics. The purely electric driving experience represents the future. Hybrids (in all forms) harmoniously combine both worlds. In a way, they are the best of both worlds. We realise that giving up petrol and diesel takes some getting used to. Many of our customers who are looking for a modern drive but don’t yet feel ready for 100 per cent electric are happy to reach for our hybrids. Which variant do you prefer?
Buying a car is love at first, second and third sight
When we were young, we dreamt of hot sports cars (at least the men in the house did). Then we saw James Bond and realised that such a limousine also had its appeal. The first car was usually not the dream car we longed for, but we loved it. Later, our income and demands increased, and then suddenly we had children. And the car had to be able to do more than just drive us and our friends around the house at night. Even though we love our cars: It wouldn’t be fun to drive the same car for 50 years. It would alternately be too small or too big and much more. As a rule, the space requirement grows when children come along and shrinks as soon as they fledge and leave home. Maybe the “car for life” is actually the “ideal car for the current phase of life”. In any case, we are always pleased when customers come in, who have very “objective requirements” for their car. They finally realise with shining eyes that “sensible cars” can also be a lot of fun. An estate car can also arouse emotions. Just as an SUV can put a smile on a single person’s face when they see it up close. The bottom line is that we humans are individuals. What is perfect for one person does not necessarily suit another. When you buy a car from Volvo Baar, we know that. And we put all our experience to work (plus a large selection of very nice cars) to help you find the right car. When can we welcome you?
