Car maker Volvo is considering an entry into Formula E, reports Swedish motoring journal Auto Motor & Sport.

In a question and answer session, Alain Visser,Volvo’s senior vice president for marketing, sales and customer service, admits that the company is watching the electric motorsport carefully. However, due to timescales, the earliest the manufacturer might be involved would be 2017.

Image courtesy of Polestar.

Speaking about strategy for the Volvo brand and for its racing arm, Polestar, Visser said: “I still do not see that racing suits our DNA. We can become a premium brand without motorsports. Volvo should convey security and low consumption, not racing. Polestar has its own budget, but we own the company. For Polestar to appear as a successful business, I can see that you would choose to participate in motorsports, absolutely.”

Asked about F1 and endurance racing, where fuel consumption is now a vital factor, Visser says: “But it’s completely different money. I would say that Le Mans is the absolute dumbest racing class you can run. It costs €20million to drive a car and you get press coverage for 24 hours. Then it’s quiet for a year! There are clearly better investments.”

Asked if the environmental credentials of Formula E would suit the company’s philosophy, he says: “Yes, exactly. We have looked at this. There is no decision on participation, but it’s definitely something that we are looking at. Audience figures and press coverage are still quite limited but this is a motor racing concept which I absolutely believe can grow. We follow the series very carefully and have undertaken really detailed analysis but we have not yet taken a decision. When you have a limited budget to spend, you must consider carefully where the money is invested. In comparison to other motorsports, it is much better value for money in Formula E.”

When asked if Volvo will be involved in 2016, Visser states: “No, we do not have time. We would have needed to make the decision today. I rank Formula E as the most competitive motorsport right now. That much I can say.”

automotorsport.com