Winning an award at the prestigious North American International Auto show in Detroit earlier this year was huge for Volvo and represents a validation of the strategy employed by its Chinese parent, said Volvo's top North American executive.

 

"We are extremely proud because winning the award at the Detroit show was huge for us considering the journey we have taken at Volvo," Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO of Volvo Car USA said on Wednesday at a preview of the New York International Auto Show, which opens to the public Friday at the Javits Center in New York.

 

In January, Volvo's XC90 crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) was named the 2016 North American Truck of the Year at the Detroit show. The XC90 represents a significant investment for Volvo and China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co, which bought the company in 2010 from Ford Motor Co.

 

The XC90's flexible architecture will underpin a range of models, including mid-size and large sedans and mid-size SUVs for the company.

 

Noting that when Geely acquired Volvo, there was speculation the Swedish brand might not survive, but Kerssemakers said the XC90 is poised to lead a sales revival for Volvo. In January and February, Volvo reported US sales increases of 11.9 percent and 31.1 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. "The XC90 has contributed to this growth," said Kerseemakers.

 

"The remarkable thing Geely did is that they let Volvo be Volvo, which they had promised to us. They have been most respectful toward us," he added.

 

Also appearing at the New York show is the 2016 Buick Envision, a Chinese import from General Motors Co, the largest US automaker.

 

The Envision is expected to hit American showrooms this summer. It is a mid-size crossover SUV and is made in Yantai in northeastern Shandong province, which is part of GM's joint venture with SAIC Motor Corp.

 

Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn predicted stronger-than-expected auto sales in the US and Europe this year.

 

"I think the market will be stronger than forecast - both in Europe and in the United States," he said in remarks at the New York show.

 

Ghosn believes US sales will increase by about 2 percent. In 2015, auto sales totaled a record 17.5 million in the US. Several auto industry forecasters are predicting 2016 sales will reach 17.8 million vehicles. European car-sales growth is likely to be about 2 percent in 2016 after rising 9.3 percent in 2015, an industry association said in January.

 

Ghosn said that the current depressed state of electric-vehicle sales will be temporary. He said global warming is increasing and that electric vehicles remain one way for the industry to trim emissions levels.