I had a live chat with motability and they told me it was Volvo’s decision.
As for all other manufacturers its business as usual but for volvo, if you want metallic you have to buy it as an option like you would a reverse camera for instance.
I’ve liaised with a few Volvo dealers, including Johnsons, to see what percentage discount from list price they were prepared to offer on options (remembering that some folks have had the likes of 20% off BMW options), but the dealers didn’t even respond.
Hence we’re sitting tight in the current car for the time being