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Sometimes car models are so popular that many a car enthusiast is already eagerly awaiting the model's successor. Such was the case with the Volvo 440, which was succeeded in 1995 by the Volvo S40 and the Volvo V40. High expectations were answered by the Swedes with a spectacle. A price fighter where comfort, luxury and practical features were also considered, with two unique and very different versions.
Do you have a Volvo S40 or a Volvo V40 with windscreen damage and need a windscreen replacement? Then you will always find the automotive glass with the best value for money with us. Before we go into this in more detail, let's look at the model that became a success number for Volvo.
When the Swedes went to the drawing board to design a new model, Volvo already had a considerable market share. When it came to price-fighters, however, the automaker was still falling short and the company would change that with the development of the Volvo S40 and the Volvo V40. This model would have the tough task of matching the sales figures of its legendary predecessor, the Volvo 440, which also became a resounding success in the Netherlands. At the same time, competition was fierce. In the lower segment, the V40 had to compete with big names like the Audi A3, the Mercedes A-Class and even the BMW 1-Series, where the Volvo S40 was diametrically opposed to the Volkswagen Jetta.
The S40 was to be the saloon version of the model, where the V40 was the estate variant. The platform chosen was the same one on which the Mitsubishi Carisma was built. Incidentally, the models were built in the Dutch town of Borne (Nedcar) and would be the stern ones in this. Volvo removed production from the Netherlands after this line.
What was particularly notable about the S40 and V40 was that they were shipped directly to Great Britain, Australia and South America right from the start, which helped ensure total sales numbers exceeded 1 million.
Only the Volvo S40 has a second generation, which saw the light of day in 2004. A lot of changes were made. For instance, a new platform (Volvo's P1 platform) was immediately chosen and production was moved to Ghent. The V40 was replaced by the Volvo V50, which was also built in Ghent.
However, the second generation of the S40 was special on many levels. Not only was it nominated for various awards, it was also the last generation with Volvo's typical 5-cylinder modular engines, had numerous similarities with the Mazda 3 and the Ford Focus and the campaign for the new S40 was special. A documentary-style campaign entitled 'The Mystery of Dalarö' was chosen. The small village of Dalarö has just 1000 inhabitants and a great mystery falls over the village when suddenly 32 inhabitants turn out to have bought the new Volvo S40 on the same day. The commercial was so believable that many viewers thought it was true and that the Volvo dealer in the small village thus indeed had 32 new S40 models ready to go.
By the way, this whole campaign was not conceived or created by Volvo. The great success of the advertising is thanks to MVBMS Fuel, a Dutch company based in Amsterdam. And a good thing too, because below you can see what Volvo itself came up with when releasing the first generation of the Volvo S40/V40.
The sales figures of the Volvo S40 and Volvo V40 are so good that, separately, they rank fourth (S40) and fifth (V40) on the list of best-selling Volvo models in the Netherlands. Adding up the numbers, the line beats all Volvo models with more than 135,000 models and even leaves the Volvo 340 behind.
Incidentally, the models became a big hit worldwide as well. More than 1 million were produced and sold. In addition, the Volvo S40 was the first Volvo to be offered in the Chinese market, in cooperation with Changan Ford (with 2.0, 2.4 and 2.5 petrol engines).
Windscreen damage (like any other damage incidentally) is always annoying, but windscreen damage by no means always means that the windscreen needs to be replaced. In fact, in most cases you can continue driving with a crack in the windscreen. The windscreen only needs to be replaced if there is windscreen damage involving a chip with a diameter of at least 20 millimetres or a branched crack.
You already have a new windscreen for your Volvo S40/V40 from €299 (including VAT). This is much cheaper than new windscreens at your Volvo dealer. This is due to the brand logo that is in the Volvo windscreens. This logo makes the windscreens exclusive and unnecessarily expensive, as this logo does nothing else for your windscreen.
We only offer after market windscreens. These windscreens are often made in the same factories as the dealer windows and the quality is also identical. However, because our windows do not have a brand logo, the price of our automotive glass is much lower. So if you want the best value for money for your new car windows, choose aftermarket automotive glass.
Did you know that our new windows are often even cheaper than second-hand car windows? This is because second-hand automotive glass with a brand logo is just as exclusive as the windscreens at your dealer, which results in higher prices, even if they are used car windows in this case. On top of that, of course, after market windscreens for the Volvo S40 and V40 are considerably easier to find. You can simply order them directly from this page.
Replacing a car side window often still works fine if you have technical knowledge and the right tools. We strongly advise against windscreen replacement unless you are an automotive glass specialist. This is because a lot can go wrong when disassembling the damaged windscreen and fitting the new one. Instead of saving costs by doing it yourself, you will be faced with much higher costs.
Are you a garage owner or automotive glass fitter? Then you can simply order all car windows from us without fitting (and even without delivery). We not only supply private individuals, but also garages in both the Netherlands and Belgium, so you will always find what you need.
Is the windscreen of your Volvo S40 or V40 damaged and does it need to be replaced? Then you will find all suitable windscreens for your car on this page. Of course, you can directly choose to have the windscreen replaced by our certified fitting partners, who replace windscreens on location throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
Can't find the right windscreen for your Volvo or do you have questions about any of our products? Then be sure to send us a message so we can help you further in person.
