Volvo’s XC40 compact SUV has continued the brand’s run of good sales form by becoming its most successful new model launch ever in the UK.

Following on from the XC60’s win in the AM Awards 2018’s New Car of the Year category in February, Volvo claims that the XC40 is selling at twice its own sales forecast rate, with more than 3,000 XC40s sold in the UK since it was launched in late February.

With sales currently at 2,000 cars a month, the XC40 has immediately become the most successful new model launch ever in the UK.

David Baddeley, Volvo Car UK's operations director, said: "The XC40 is already proving to be a huge success, fuelled by the number of high-profile awards it has won recently.

“This enthusiasm is reflected in the number of early customers who have ordered their XC40, and we see this demand only increasing now the first customer cars are appearing on UK roads."

Since it was launched, the XC40 has won the European Car of the Year and What Car? Car of the Year awards, gaining praise for its lively performance, quality, style, comfort and safety.

The first cars in the UK were First Edition XC40s, of which more than 1,000 examples were available – and almost all of the high-specification examples were sold before the car had arrived in showrooms.