XC60

Make
Volvo
Segment
SUV

This week, Volvo finally lifted the wraps off its new baby SUV, the XC40, as a new rival to the Range Rover Evoque in the premium compact crossover segment. But that wasn't the only big announcement the Swedish automaker made. Volvo wants to revolutionize the way we buy cars with the announcement of the new "Care by Volvo" subscription service. Because the XC40 is primarily designed for time-strapped young professionals, using Volvo's subscription service eliminates the hassle of going through a dealership.

In Volvo's words, it's "easy and hassle free as having a phone." Here's how it works. Volvo simplifies the car purchasing process allowing buyers to order a new car online and subscribe to the Care Volvo service, just as you would buy a mobile phone online and commit to a monthly contract.

Everything is then covered by a flat-rate monthly fee that can give you a new car as early as 12 months into the program. After ordering online, you won't have to worry about extras like down payments, insurances, taxes, service fees and geographical or customer age related differences. Furthermore, owners will be able to share the car with their friends and family using digital key technology. The process sounds impersonal, but certainly convenient compared to buying at a dealership and dealing with sales reps and markups."With Care by Volvo, we introduce a new car access for the modern age," said Volvo President and CEO, Hakan Samuelsson.

"In a time where consumers are used to transparent flat-fees for all sort of services, the traditional process of buying and owning a car can be perceived rather complicated. Care by Volvo changes all of that." Of course, traditional purchase and lease options will still be available for the XC40 as well, and more Volvo cars will be available through the subscription service at a later date. More details will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, by which point the service should be live.