Volvo may not have as much experience with hatchbacks as other automakers, especially in the United States, but they know how to endorse one when the time comes. And no, it did not begin with Edward Cullen in Twilight. Both of the hatchbacks sold in America in the past 36 years (the 1972-3 P1800 ES and the 2006-present C30) have seen marketing pushes through the media.

Marilyn Cole, Playboy’s 1973 Playmate of the Year received a P1800 hatchback for her achievement:

The infamous pink P1800 {volvo1800pictures.com}

More recently, the new Volvo C30 appeared in the 2008 movie Twilight. Despite appearing in a couple of scenes, sales of the car were actually down 10% for the month following the film’s release compared to the same month in 2007.

Car of choice for vampires {blog.leasetrader.com}

Finally, the edgy Volvo Sweden website features a man wearing an unbuttoned shirt and shorts refueling in a snowscape. The V50 may not be a hatchback, but this image is even more attractive than Marilyn Cole.

Volvo Sweden's homepage