The times when conventional physique kinds just like the sedan and wagon dominated the automobile business are lengthy gone, changed by the continual rise of crossovers and SUVs. Volvo is effectively conscious of the market developments, just by testing the gross sales outcomes and seeing two-thirds of its buyer base are shopping for an XC mannequin. The person in cost on the Geely-owned model informed Autocar there might be an growth of the high-riding portfolio on the expense of sedans and wagons.
Håkan Samuelsson defined that Volvo merely has too many sedans and wagons, particularly long-roof fashions because the V60 and V90 each have Cross Nation derivatives. He went on to say the Swedish model presents a “lot of saloons large and small, lengthy and extra-long,” a few of which must go. The corporate’s head honcho guarantees they will preserve sedans and wagons, “however in all probability not as many.”
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Volvo is shifting focus to electrical SUVs to enrich the XC40 Recharge and the C40 Recharge unveiled this week. The following-generation XC90 is anticipated to spawn an EV model whereas a smaller XC20 / C20 has already been formally confirmed. We’ve additionally heard some rumors a few fullsize XC100, however nothing is official at this level. The sellers have been asking for a BMW X7 rival, and we’re certain executives are all ears.
In case you’d slightly have a non-SUV mannequin from Volvo, there’s a silver lining. Samuelsson informed Autocar that “a sensible, decrease automobile is also actually attention-grabbing, particularly as we go electrical and wish decrease air resistance. Undoubtedly do not depend out the wagon.” In different phrases, common vehicles should not going away completely. It is simply that prospects may have fewer choices when looking for an S or V mannequin.
No matter physique fashion, many of the new arrivals might be EVs. Volvo has promised to desert the inner combustion engine by the tip of the last decade. In the meantime, the C40 Recharge might be adopted by 5 extra electrical autos by 2025 when the agency estimates gross sales might be break up evenly between EVs and PHEVs.
All ICE-less Volvos might be offered solely on-line and are going to assist over-the-air updates, bringing enhancements when it comes to vary, charging speeds, and tweaks to the infotainment system. The C40 Recharge is the corporate’s first trendy automobile to cast off leather-based, and all future zero-emissions fashions will come with out animal hides.