Volvo Cars are preparing to launch an “electrification blitz” by converting all its major models to electric vehicles, including three SUVs and two sedans, and launching a luxury electric van designed to boost sales in Asia, two people familiar with the matter said, according to a Reuters report.
Volvo expects to launch at least six new all-electric vehicles by 2026, two people familiar with the matter said. Volvo aims to be fully electric by 2030, and its Australian subsidiary says it plans to sell only electric cars in the market by 2026.
Volvo, a Swedish brand known for its safety and practical design, made the change as it pays more attention to customer trends in Asia and strives to win sales there, the people said.
Currently, Volvo has not announced the details of the plan. Geely declined to comment.
Among the new all-electric vehicles planned for the next four years is a Volvo-branded MPV or van based on a model sold in China under Geely’s Zeekr brand, the Jikr 009.
Reports say Volvo has transferred the development of sedans and upcoming models to its Shanghai R&D center. The center’s design staff has tripled to about 60 people and has recently moved to a new, larger building in Shanghai, one of the sources said.
The first electric model of Volvo’s new plan, the EX90, was unveiled late last year and is expected to go on sale in early 2024. Other all-electric vehicles in development include electrified versions of Volvo’s main line — the XC90, XC60 and XC40 crossovers — and the S60 and S90 sedans, the sources said.
