It’s a strange time in the automotive industry. Automakers are beginning
the transition to electric vehicles, and it’s a complicated process. Volvo, which plans to become a fully electric car company by 2030, is no
different. It will launch a new flagship all-electric vehicle later this year
that’ll serve as the successor to the XC90 crossover, but that model won’t be disappearing anytime soon.
Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Automotive News Europe that
it would utilize its two factories by simultaneously producing the XC90
and its successor. Volvo’s new EV will roll off the assembly line in
South Carolina, while XC90 production will continue in Sweden. Samuelsson
questioned why the company would end production at its the Torslanda factory
when there’s still a market for hybrid powertrains, which the XC90 offers.
Volvo will go
a step further than just continuing production. The CEO also said the model
would receive upgraded styling in the coming years. However, customers should
not expect any powertrain updates. Samuelsson told the publication that Volvo
is investing in “the new generation of all-electric cars.” XC90 production will
end eventually, though. Volvo will invest in its Torslanda factory to convert
it to EV production, which starts in 2025.
The trend of
producing a car alongside its replacement isn’t new at Volvo, which continued
making the first-generation XC90 after the second-gen version went on sale. A
few years ago, Jeep produced the Wrangler JK and Wrangler JL alongside each
other, and Ram is doing the same with the 1500 Classic today. It’s not a new
trick, but it certainly is interesting.
Read More Volvo News:
The XC90 successor, which is rumored to be named the Embla, is expected to debut sometime this year; however,
Volvo hasn’t announced an official reveal date. Details about the model are
scarce, but one thing we do know is that this will be the brand’s first
dedicated electric vehicle. The company designed it from the outset to
accommodate the all-electric powertrain, bringing considerable benefits to its
interior packaging. According to the CEO, it will have a flat floor and a roomy
interior.
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