It’s common knowledge that the SUV, or sports utility vehicle, is fast becoming the motor of choice for the everyman motorist. You can easily see why: this format offers a desirable combination of space, practicality, safety and comfort.

Volvo agrees. Its brand research and development boss Peter Mertens reckons that the company’s sales profile is going to be significantly SUV and crossover-heavy by the end of the 2010s.

In 2015, crossovers and SUVs from Volvo’s Cross Country and XC ranges accounted for more than half of the 503,127 total of Volvos sold, with the big shift to crossovers and SUVs driving sales in its biggest markets, Sweden, the US and China.

The drift towards these multi-purpose cars certainly seems to be working for Volvo at the moment. Nearly 52,000 XC90s have been sold in the first six months of 2016, indicating an impressive annual sales figure in excess of 100,000 units fro that one model alone. XC70 sales are also 10% up year or year.

Sales of the smaller XC60 have fallen away slightly however, as have those of the smaller still V40 Cross Country. Which makes you wonder if Volvo’s self-imposed niche might end up being even more specialised than planned, with big cars dominating the scene.

Mertens isn’t worried. He reckons that the XC40 compact crossover due in early 2018 will be a landmark for Volvo.