Japan’s biennial Tokyo Motor Show faced an exodus of international brands following the financial crisis of the past decade, proving so severe there were concerns the show might be canceled. Many of the big names will still be absent from this year’s show, commencing November 20, but some are slowing making their return, such as Volvo.

Part of the reason has been a strong rise in sales for the Volvo brand in Japan. Sales this year are up over 25 percent compared to 2012 and at a level not seen since the late 1990s. One of the top sellers has been the stylish V40, which was voted the 2013 Imported Car of The Year in Japan by a local industry group.

Volvo won’t be making any major new announcements, instead choosing its recent Concept Coupe to be the star of its 2013 Tokyo Motor Show stand. The automaker’s product chief Lex Kerssemakers and head designer Thomas Ingenlath will also be on hand during the press days, and plan to give further insight into Volvo’s new design language.

The concept is the first vehicle built on Volvo’s modular SPA platform, which will be underpinning all Volvos from the S60 up. The first SPA-based model will be the all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 due at the end of 2014.

The Concept Coupe, the first in a series of three concepts previewing Volvo’s future, also showcases the automaker’s new plug-in hybrid technology, which will be able to provide the performance of a V-8 but with the thirst of a four-cylinder.

Volvo will also be present at the 2013 Guangzhou Auto Show, commencing November 21. Volvo will use the Chinese show to launch a long-wheelbase S60 L.

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