There is a strong likelihood that Volvo Cars is preparing to launch an “electrification blitz” by converting every single of its most important models into electric vehicles, including three SUVs and two sedans, as well as launching a luxury electric van to boost sales in Asia, according to two people familiar with the matter.
It is expected that Volvo will launch at least six new all-electric vehicles by 2026, according to two people familiar with the matter. In a statement issued recently by its Australian subsidiary, Volvo announced that it intends to sell only electric cars on the market by 2026, and that it plans to become fully electric by 2030.
Volvo, a Swedish brand well known for its safety and practical design, has made the change to meet customer trends in Asia and strive to win sales in the region, according to the people familiar with the matter.
The specifics of this plan have not yet been announced by Volvo. There was no comment from Geely on the matter.
A Volvo-branded MPV or van based on a model offered in China under Geely’s Zeekr brand, the Jikr 009 is one of the new all-electric vehicles planned for the next four years.
According to a recent report, Volvo has transferred its development of sedans and upcoming models to the company’s R&D center in Shanghai. The center’s design staff has tripled to about 60 people, one of the sources told me, and the center has recently moved to a new, bigger building in Shanghai to accommodate the growth.
This is the first electric model within Volvo’s new plan, the EX90, which was unveiled late last year, and is expected to hit the market in early 2024 as a result of Volvo’s new plan. As well as all-electric versions of Volvo’s main product line, such as the XC90, XC60, and XC40 crossovers, as well as the S60 and S90 sedans, all-electric versions of Volvo’s main product line are being developed, according to the sources.