Earthquake in the automobile: Volvo changes shoulder rifle and abandons its all-electric strategy

Among the historic car manufacturers. Consequently, Volvo quickly established itself as one of the most engaged in the energy transition. In addition, Almost 23 % of cars sold by the manufacturer worldwide in 2024 were 100 % mues with electrons. However, ahead of this point BMW, Mercedes or Audi. Moreover, The Swedish then planned to abandon its thermal offer in 2030 worldwide, well before most of its rivals.

However, the manufacturer’s plans changed last year when Jim Rowan, then CEO of Volvo Cars, announced that the brand would continue to offer rechargeable hybrid models after 2030. Nevertheless, “We understand that many people are not yet ready to go to electric”he had confessed. Consequently, It had then been decided to extend earthquake automobile: volvo changes shoulder the career of the thermal XC90 in parallel with the electrical model Ex90. which was initially to succeed him.

However. apart from restylages and other developments in existing models, the firm planned to remain faithful to its decision to no longer develop a new car with internal combustion engine. Since then, even this strategy has been abandoned. Volvo has announced the arrival of a new electric XC70 with a range of autonomy on the Chinese market. which the brand should not offer in Europe, however.

A new generation for the XC90 thermal SUV – Earthquake automobile: volvo changes shoulder

Latest turnaround. Håkan Samuelsson, who was recently recalled at the head of Volvo, told investors that the brand “Go need a new XC90”. The current model, which already accuses 10 years of seniority, will therefore not play extensions forever. In addition, unlike the new XC70, this unprecedented generation of XC90 will be proposed on earthquake automobile: volvo changes shoulder the old continent. “I think it is something that European consumers will want to haveA Expliqué Håkan Samuelsson. The rechargeable hybrids with greater autonomy are a solution that we will probably need for a few years more. than what we estimate. ”

It seems likely that this new generation only offers bicarburation versions (petrol/electricity). rechargeable or electric hybrids with a range of autonomy. This would allow Volvo to use the SMA platform of the new XC70. developed by Geely and dedicated to electric cars with a range.

The XC70 announces 200 km of electrical autonomy. of course on the Chinese approval cycle CLTC particularly optimistic, but this remains more than its main rechargeable hybrid competitors. The current generation of XC90 offers for example up to 70 km of electricity. this time according to the WLTP cycle in vogue in Europe. Electric models with a range of autonomy are earthquake automobile: volvo changes shoulder particularly popular in China. where they attracted more than a million customers in 2024.