The Volvo S60 (pictured) may be bumped out of production by a larger sedan, the S80, in a drastic product-plan renovation by the Swedish automaker. While a solid commitment has yet to be made, the potential change would allow for further development and model expansion into more profitable segments, such as crossovers, coupes, and sports cars.

"For the future, Volvo has to maintain its existing sales, but also enter new segments, and we have to decide where to put our pot of investment cash," says Volvo's product planning chief Lex Kerssemakers. "There is potential out there. Sports cars add sex appeal."

The S60's destiny is closely tied with the next-generation S40/V50, to be released in 2010. An increased length, to 177 inches, will have the S40 match the BMW 3 Series and nearly equal today's S80 model length of 180 inches. Basically, the S60 is being pressured on both sides by its own siblings, the S40 (future growth) and the S80 (enhanced sport).

One hitch to replacing the S60 remains; it currently sells around 60,000 on average, annually. Volvo's plan was to reach a 600,000 car production goal by 2009. It is hard to gauge how sensitive the production mix will be, given the S60 being a decent performer in terms of units sold.

Final decision, of course, lies within the upper echelon at Ford and its Premier Automotive Group. "If it was up to me, there will be a new S60. It sells well in the U.S., and I would be reluctant to let it go," says Kerssemakers.

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