Volvo

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 21, 2026

Volvo Appoints A New CEO

Assuming the position no later than October 1, 2027, Klaus Zellmer has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Volvo Cars, succeeding Håkan Samuelsson. Samuelsson has led the company across two separate tenures, once from 2012 to 2022, and then again since April 2025. Samuelsson’s first tenure saw Volvo undergo an incredible transformation throughout its lineup, and his second saw him guiding the company strategically through unique challenges in the automotive industry. Now, Klaus Zellmer will take the helm, with a career that most recently includes a role as the Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Škoda Auto. With Škoda, Zellmer guided the brand towards noteworthy record success, including growth and unprecedented EV deliveries in 2026. Before his time at Škoda, Zellmer served as a member of the Board of Management at Volkswagen Cars, overseeing Marketing, Sales, and After Sales, and worked at Porsche as CEO of Porsche Deutschland and CEO of Porsche North America. About Zellmer’s appointment at Volvo Cars, Eric Li, the Swedish manufacturer’s CEO, commented, “Klaus Zellmer combines deep automotive expertise with broad international leadership experience and a strong record of guiding organisations through transformation and changing market conditions. His experience from both the high-end premium segment and high-volume brands, is an excellent fit for Volvo Cars. The Board is confident that, under Klaus Zellmer’s leadership, Volvo Cars will build on its strong foundations and enter its next chapter with a clear ambition to strengthen its position as a leading premium car company.”  Zellmer himself added, “I am delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an important moment in the company’s development. Few automotive brands have built such a strong and lasting reputation for safety, consistently applying this core value across the mobility sector. I admire Volvo Cars’ timeless, contemporary design language and the clarity of its brand identity. The company has a solid foundation and an experienced team, and I look forward to working with colleagues across Volvo Cars to build on these strengths. After almost 100 years, Volvo Cars’ ability to reinvent itself time and again is both a remarkable achievement and an ongoing challenge. I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued development and to shaping its next chapter together.” With an impressive career throughout the automotive industry, including at other premium brands, Zellmer’s appointment at Volvo brings a new and noteworthy talent to the helm of its historic, yet futuristic brand, with a lineup that includes vehicles with cutting-edge technology, eye-catching design, and a distinctly Scandinavian approach to luxury. View All Volvo For Sale Image Source: Volvo Cars

By Khris Bharath – September 17, 2026

2028 Volvo XC60 and XC90 Plug-In Hybrids More Than Double Their All-Electric Range

Volvo has revealed long-range plug-in hybrid versions of the XC60 and XC90, dramatically extending the electric range of its two luxury SUVs. The XC60 covers up to 78 miles on electricity alone, while the XC90 manages up to 73 miles, giving both models what Volvo says is the longest electric range of any plug-in hybrid available in America. Those preliminary figures, measured using EPA testing standards, more than double the range of their existing plug-in hybrid counterparts. Both models now pack a new 41.2-kWh lithium-ion battery with 37.9 kWh of usable capacity, mounted beneath the floor. The outgoing XC60 offers up to 35 miles of electric range, while the XC90 manages 32 miles, with both using an 18.8-kWh battery. The advantage becomes clearer against current luxury SUV rivals. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 offers 54 miles, the GLE 450e offers 49 miles of electric range, while the BMW X5 xDrive50e and Lexus RX 450h+ offer up to 38 miles. Among larger three-row alternatives, the Lexus TX 550h+ has a manufacturer-estimated 33 miles of electric range. Volvo has also given both T8 AWD Long Range models considerably more electric performance. A rear-mounted electric motor produces 174 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque, while total system output is equivalent to about 455 horsepower. The XC60 can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the larger XC90 takes 4.9 seconds, and both are electronically limited to 112 mph. “The XC60 is our best-selling model of all time, while the XC90 marked the beginning of our premium journey. Now, as long-range plug-in hybrids, they build on those legacies and, together with the all-electric EX60, give us our strongest-ever electrified offering in the mid-size SUV segment.” - Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO at Volvo Cars The new long-range hybrids also arrive as Volvo expands what it calls its largest-ever product offensive. During its September 17 Strategy update, the company outlined plans for 13 new regionally tailored electrified models, including seven for Western markets, while placing greater emphasis on flexible electrification. Volvo says the broader strategy is intended to reduce investment per vehicle, improve margins, and help the company work toward an EBIT margin above eight percent. The Swedish automaker previously planned to become fully electric by 2030 before revising that target in 2024, with plug-in hybrids now playing a greater role in its transition. The move also follows Volvo's decision to build the XC60 in South Carolina and develop a next-generation hybrid specifically for American customers. The XC60 also receives a comprehensive design update that continues Volvo's restrained Scandinavian design language. Redesigned Thor's Hammer headlights bring a sharper lighting signature, joining a new grille, front bumper, hood, and front fenders. <- Gallery -> Inside, clean surfaces and open-pore wood trim preserve the marque's familiar minimalism, complemented by details such as the crystal gear selector, metal Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles, and subtle Swedish flag seat tags. A 11.2-inch display runs Volvo Car UX, while Google Gemini supports navigation and messaging through conversational voice inputs, similar to the system arriving on the updated XC40. The safety hardware also gains automatic emergency steering, cyclist door-opening alerts, lane change assistance, and a 360-degree camera with 3D viewing. The larger XC90 retains its seven-seat configuration while adding Google Gemini and an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Both models will continue receiving over-the-air updates, and production begins later this fall, with customer deliveries scheduled for early 2027. View All Volvo Cars for Sale Images: Volvo

By Khris Bharath – September 10, 2026

Volvo Updates the XC40 With New Safety Hardware and Google Gemini

Nearly a decade since the XC40 first hit the market, Volvo has revealed a comprehensive update for its smallest SUV, covering exterior design, interior materials, infotainment, and a new software and sensor platform. The subcompact premium crossover segment is among the most contested in the industry, with models like the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3 all pursuing the same buyer. Volvo sold 23,980 XC40s in the U.S. last year, down 9.7 percent from 2024, while first-quarter 2026 sales fell 47 percent year over year. These updates are aimed squarely at keeping the XC40 competitive in that category. Two things have always worked in its favor. The first, ofcourse, is Scandinavian design: sleek and minimalist in a class where rivals often reach for aggression. The second is safety, which is a trait that the Swedish brand has built over decades and one that this update extends considerably. A new software and sensor platform brings front and corner radars, a new front camera, rear corner radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and new parking cameras. That hardware supports automatic emergency steering alongside automatic emergency braking, while a Door Opening Alert warns occupants before opening a door into passing traffic. The optional Pilot Assist system also gains lane change assist and has been refined to follow the road more smoothly. The available 360-degree camera now renders the car's surroundings in 3D. Visually, the XC40 receives a cleaner interpretation of Volvo's Scandinavian design language. Every body panel ahead of the A-pillars is new, including the hood and front wings, while a slimmer grille features a mesh pattern that echoes the diagonal treatment of Volvo's Iron Mark badge. The redesigned Thor's Hammer Matrix LED headlights are slimmer and more technical in appearance. At the rear are thinner-looking LED lights, an upgraded tailgate and a redesigned bumper, while new diamond-cut wheels are available in 18, 19 and 20-inch sizes. Inside, a larger and sharper 11.2-inch central display angled towards the driver introduces Volvo's latest user experience, designed to reduce the number of taps needed to reach commonly used functions. A slim bank of physical media controls remains beneath the screen. But crucially, the system integrates Google Gemini, allowing occupants to plan journeys, find stops, and manage messages using natural conversational commands. <- Gallery -> Volvo and Google have worked together since 2017, and the XC40 was among the first Volvos to run Android Automotive OS back in 2020. Gemini is now rolling out across eligible Volvo models with Google built-in, beginning with customers in the U.S. The rest of the cabin receives more subtle tweaks. An updated wireless phone charger is joined by refined interior illumination, while XC40 customers can specify Arianne Cardamom leather with Brown Ash wood for the first time. Black Ash and aluminum decor are also available. The updated cabin further highlights Volvo's restrained approach, with vertically oriented air vents, metallic trim, and a panoramic glass roof. "By enhancing the XC40's design, technology and safety features, we've created the best version of the XC40 yet," said Akhil Krishnan, Interim Lead for the 30 and 40 Series at Volvo Cars. For the U.S., the 2028 XC40 retains Volvo's 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain, but the 194-horsepower front-wheel-drive version has been dropped, making all-wheel drive standard. The refresh also takes on greater significance as Volvo prepares to discontinue the electric EX40 in the U.S. and Canada after the 2027 model year. Like other new Volvos, the XC40 will also support regular over-the-air updates, allowing new software and features to be added after delivery. Production begins later this fall, with customer deliveries expected to commence in early 2027. The update arrives as Volvo continues to expand its US manufacturing footprint, including additional production in South Carolina. View All Volvo Cars for Sale Images: Volvo

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 03, 2026

Volvo Launches Largest OTA Software Update Yet

While Volvo has long been known for its reputation for safety and Scandinavian luxury design, it’s experienced a transformation from being a manufacturer of quirky-but-luxurious vehicles to having a lineup that is futuristic, tech-forward, and undeniably stylish. Volvo is one of the manufacturers that offers its owners over-the-air software updates for in-car systems, as well, transforming what used to be something that was difficult to change into an experience that can grow and transform as time passes. Now, that idea is being put to the test, as Volvo is launching its largest over-the-air software update for its drivers yet. The update will be delivered to roughly 2.5 million cars across 85 countries, giving the cars a new experience called Volvo Car UX. Promising a more intuitive experience than the previous system, the new Volvo Car UX is available for drivers of a Volvo with Google built-in from as early as 2020, free of charge. Based on the Android Automotive operating system, the system puts the most important controls in as convenient a place as possible, like maps, media, and phone controls. For plug-in hybrid drivers, it will also be easier to access the all-electric driving mode. In addition, the update prepares cars to accommodate a conversational AI experience, which is set to launch later this spring, and for customers with Google built-in cars to purchase the Pilot Assist driver assistance feature and download it to their car if they don’t have it yet. With over-the-air update technology, Volvo is giving existing owners to have the latest and greatest in in-car technology. View All Volvo For Sale <- Gallery -> Image Source: Volvo

By Khris Bharath – December 26, 2025

Volvo Prepares Final U.S. Orders for the V60 Cross Countr...

70 years ago, Volvo sent a PV444 over to the United States with modest ambitions and even more modest equipment, and few could have predicted how deeply the Scandinavian brand would embed itself into American automotive culture. Today, Volvo builds the all-electric EX90 flagship right here in the U.S., delivers seven usable seats with proper three-point belts for everyone on board, and offers performance levels that would have sounded unrealistic back in the 1950s. That context matters because it demonstrates how seriously Volvo has always treated evolution in the American market, and we have covered Volvo’s expansion in the United States extensively over the past year. The Swedish brand, of course, is also renowned for building some of the safest cars in the world, with a long list of innovations to its name that eventually became industry standards. From early advances in occupant protection to broader safety systems designed to reduce real-world risk, Volvo has consistently been a key innovator with solutions that later spread across the industry. Local production Stateside is a big part of the brand’s next chapter. Volvo’s decision to assemble the XC60, its best-selling model globally, at its facility in South Carolina, is not only about better positioning the brand more competitively against other European luxury automakers that already build vehicles in the U.S., but it is also a direct response to factors like U.S. tariffs and a volatile market. For you, the consumer, what all this means is better pricing stability, fewer supply chain disruptions, and vehicles designed around American driving habits rather. The addition of a next-generation hybrid, which is being developed specifically for the U.S. market, further reinforces that intent. This anniversary year, Volvo sold its five millionth vehicle in the United States, a reminder of how established the brand truly is. Also, you cannot talk about Volvo in America without talking about wagons. While wagons were once common across the U.S., it was Volvo was instrumental in keepnig rge format relevant, right through into the modern era. Volvo's first wagon in the U.S. was the iconic Duett PV445. Models like the iconic 240 and 740 wagons became staples by being practical, spacious, and famously carrying that tank-like build quality. The 850 wagon rewrote expectations by pairing real performance with everyday usability, especially in T-5R form. The V70 R carried that idea forward, while the XC70 Cross Country showed that a wagon could handle poor roads and harsh weather without pretending to be an SUV. Speaking of SUVs, given their popularity, the announcement that final U.S. orders for the current generation wagons will be taken early next year, with Volvo V60 Cross Country production ending in April 2026, truly marks the end of a genuinely glorious era in America. Orders remain open until late January 2026, with limited inventory expected afterward. It is worth noting that this is not the end of the line for Volvo wagons, as they will continue to be sold in other global markets where demand remains strong. That said, the wagon format is not disappearing entirely. At the performance end, interest is clearly returning, with the Audi RS6 Avant and the returning BMW M5 Touring showing real demand, while in the luxury space, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon has remained a steady presence. Volvo helped define what wagons meant to American drivers, and even as it adapts to today’s market realities, that legacy remains firmly intact. View All Volvos For Sale Images: Volvo

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 16, 2025

Volvo x Sergio Hudson Unveil New EX90-Inspired Collection

Sergio Hudson and Volvo combine sharp tailoring and Scandinavian luxury design. While Volvo has long been known for its lineup that embodies Scandinavian design and luxury, as well as safety-oriented innovation and unique approaches to performance, recent years have seen Volvo revolutionize its cars and its place in the automotive luxury world. Its latest safety innovations have placed Volvo firmly at the cutting edge of the industry, and its most recent vehicles boast stunning futuristic design and numerous high-tech luxury features. As Volvo celebrates the 70th anniversary of its presence in the United States, the iconic Swedish luxury manufacturer has partnered with Sergio Hudson, one of the most buzzworthy names in the current American fashion landscape. Known for sharp tailoring, minimalist elegance, and a luxurious aesthetic that has been seen on iconic red carpets like the Met Gala and worn by celebrities like Beyoncé, Audra McDonald, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Keke Palmer, Sergio Hudson’s luxury fashion and Volvo’s automotive excellence combine in a new limited-edition collection. The new all-electric flagship SUV from Volvo, the EX90, served as the inspiration for the collection, and the collection’s car coat and belt embody not only Volvo’s simplistic, Scandinavian design language but also the new EX90’s serene sense of luxury, using materials found in the SUV and transforming them into luxurious apparel. Both the Volvo EX90 and Sergio Hudson feature American craftsmanship, as Sergio Hudson himself is a native of Ridgeway, South Carolina, and the EX90 is made in Ridgeville, outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The Tailored Wool Blend car coat in the collection retails for $1,895, made from the same responsibly sourced, natural wool used in the EX90’s seat upholstery. It features an oversized silhouette and a mid-thigh length, in a Sergio Hudson take on a classic garment—the car coat. The Nordico belt in Dawn pays homage to one of Volvo’s most significant inventions, which contributed to the entire automotive industry: the three-point seatbelt. Retailing for $225, the Dawn color of the Nordico upholstery is the same as seen in the EX90. The platinum-inspired buckle features commemorative branding for the collaboration and pays homage to the Platinum anniversary of Volvo’s US presence. The collection has been styled with existing pieces from the Sergio Hudson line, and it’s available to purchase exclusively online for US, Canada, and UK customers, starting on October 20, 2025. Each piece will be made-to-order in limited quantities by Sergio Hudson Collections in the United States. Celebrating 70 years in the United States, Volvo partnered with one of the youngest and hottest American luxury fashion lines, using Sergio Hudson’s understated luxury to highlight the stunning materials and design of its new EX90 flagship. View All Volvo EX90 For Sale Image Source: Volvo Cars

By Khris Bharath – October 07, 2025

Volvo Car USA Sees Q3 EV Sales Spike, Led by EX30 and EX9...

Volvo’s latest U.S. sales report paints a mixed picture. On the surface, total deliveries have slipped 9 percent in the third quarter, with 26,021 units sold, but look closer, and you’ll see a brand in transition, one that is shifting its focus towards electric and doubling down on local production to stay competitive in a shifting market. Electrified models, i.e. those with either full-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains accounted for 32.6 percent of total sales this quarter, which the Swedish automaker claims is down 23.7 percent compared to last year. Fully electric models jumped 71 percent compared to last year’s third quarter, now making up 12 percent of total sales. Year to date, that figure sits at 9.5 percent, up an impressive 129 percent from 2023. “We are making good progress on our ambitious plans to grow our business and become the premium, electrified brand of choice for customers in the U.S., achieving our best-ever results in fully electric vehicles and seeing strong growth across the regions. ” - Luis Rezende, President, Volvo Car Americas. The momentum comes from two models the EX30 and EX90. The EX30, priced from $40,000, gives Volvo a strong entry into the compact EV space, while the larger EX90 starting at $81,000 serves as the brand’s flagship SUV, integrating cutting-edge safety systems, bi-directional charging, and a high-end cabin experience. Together, they along with the mid-size EX40 form the backbone of Volvo’s next phase in sales of its expanding line-up of all-electric models. Among combustion and hybrid offerings, the XC60 remains Volvo’s workhorse. The mid-size compact luxury SUV sold 8,615 units in the third quarter, up 8 percent year over year. We’ve reported previously on Volvo’s extensive investments at its Charleston facility to localize production of this global bestseller, which has now even outsold the old 240. Demands for hybrids continue to remain strong and Volvo recently marked a major milestone, having produced its one millionth plug-in hybrid. The move is key to maintaining competitiveness in the fiercely contested mid-size luxury crossover segment and to offset potential tariff impacts. More importantly, it also lays the groundwork for future models, especially the next-generation hybrid tailored specifically for the U.S. market, set to arrive by the end of the decade. Regionally, the Americas recorded 35,636 units sold in Q3, down 7 percent compared to last year. Despite the dip, Volvo’s long-term direction remains firm. With both the tech-laden XC60 and the upcoming hybrid soon joining the EX90 on the Charleston line, Volvo is positioning itself for a long-term manufacturing and supply-chain advantage designed to future-proof its U.S. operations. View All Volvos For Sale Source: Volvo

By Khris Bharath – September 23, 2025

Volvo Strengthens South Carolina Plant With XC60 Producti...

Volvo continues to double down on its American strategy. The Swedish automaker, renowned for building some of the safest cars on the road, has just confirmed continued investment at its Ridgeville, South Carolina facility, a site where it has already poured $1.3 billion into over the past decade. That sizeable investment has given the 2.3-million square-feet plant an annual production capacity of 150,000 cars, a figure that Volvo would want to see fully realized. Right now, the Ridgeville site already builds the fully electric EX90 SUV and Polestar 3. But adding the popular XC60 to the production line in the United States will further ramp up operations. Currently, the imported XC60 already accounts for over a third of Volvo’s U.S. sales (27,000 units in the first eight months of 2025, a 20 percent increase from 2025), with nearly a quarter of those coming from hybrids. Globally, with 2.7 million units delivered, the XC60 also overtook the iconic 240 wagon to become Volvo’s best-seller of all time, something we reported on last month. Localizing production for a model with that kind of weight is vital to stay competitive in the lucrative mid-size to compact SUV space, mostly dominated by German automakers, like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. For Volvo, building the XC60 in South Carolina would mean shorter delivery times, potentially more competitive pricing compared to imports, and less risk of disruption from tariffs or shipping bottlenecks. Earlier this year, in April, the U.S. raised tariffs on imports for a wide range of products, including autos, with some of the highest numbers on China. Volvo, owned by Chinese automaker Geely, has largely avoided direct impact by sourcing its U.S.-bound cars from Europe ( the XC60 is currenty manufactured at Volvo’s Torslanda plant in Sweden and Ghent facility in Belgium), a region with which President Trump reached a trade agreement, towards the end of July. “The XC60 is the right car for this market. It offers the best of Volvo in a versatile size with the powertrain options to suit our U.S. customers.” - Volvo Americas President Luis Rezende. This is why moving manufacturing closer to where the customers are is increasingly becoming a priority for manufacturers. Volvo’s Ridgeville plant features a revamped body and paint shop, a new battery-pack line, and the ability to produce multiple platforms. That’s key because the XC60 will be built in both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations, expanding Volvo’s U.S. range besides its expanding fully electric offerings. With more than 5 million cars sold since 1955, and with Volvo celebrating 70 years in America, the decision to build its best-seller in South Carolina shows a deeper commitment to the region and beyond. But the XC60 isn’t the only piece of the puzzle, because Volvo has also confirmed that before 2030, a next-generation hybrid designed specifically for the U.S. market will join the production line in South Carolina. That’s part of the company’s bigger push toward regional tailoring, where each sales region gets vehicles, technologies, and manufacturing strategies optimized to local demands. For American customers, that means Ridgeville won’t just be an assembly site, but a base for cars engineered with U.S. preferences in mind. View All Volvos For Sale Source: Volvo

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 04, 2025

Volvo Starts Production Of The New ES90

Volvo’s new flagship begins production. Known for its luxury vehicles with unique Swedish flair and a dedication to automotive safety that has revolutionized the entire industry, Volvo’s lineup has been radically transforming in the past few years. One of the many new models that Volvo has introduced recently is the new ES90, an all-electric flagship luxury sedan that features a futuristic take on Volvo’s signature Scandinavian approach to design, cutting-edge technology for safety and driving excellence. One of the most important highlights of the new Volvo ES90 is the fact that it’s the first Volvo to feature 800-volt technology, offering longer driving range and faster charging than any previous all-electric Volvo model. In addition, its use of Volvo’s Superset tech stack with next-generation computing power offers the potential for extensive evolution over time thanks to over-the-air software updates. Production has begun for the ES90, and thus far, the order books for the new all-electric luxury flagship from Volvo are open in several European markets, with the new vehicle also coming available to markets in the Asia Pacific region soon. Customer deliveries of the new ES90 are set to start later this year. As Volvo continues its journey towards electrification, the beginning of production for its new ES90, the new electric luxury flagship sedan, is an important milestone on that journey. View All Volvos For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 06, 2025

Volvo Puts World's First Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt In Ne...

Volvo introduces another breakthrough safety innovation. While the brand’s reputation has goine through various different chapters over the years, Volvo has always been known for creating luxury cars with Scandinavian flair to their design, and safety features like few other manufacturers on the market. Now seen in virtually all vehicles on the road, it was Volvo who first introduced the three-point safety belt to cars, over 60 years ago in 1959. Now, Volvo is opening a new chapter in safety belt innovation by introducing the world’s first multi-adaptive safety belt as part of its upcoming new model, the EX60. Debuting the new model in 2026, the new safety belt seen in the Volvo EX60 will be able to adapt to real-world traffic variations, and also adapt to the person wearing the belt, thanks to the car’s advanced sensor technology. As an example, a larger occupant in a serious crash will get a higher belt load setting to prevent head injury, while a smaller passenger in a less severe crash gets lower belt load to lower the risk of rib fractures. Thanks to over-the-air software updates, the mechanisms that make these decisions will get better over time, not only using Volvo’s five decades of safety research and data from over 80,000 occupants who were in real-world vehicle accidents, but also using data that will be collected in the future to continue improving its performance over time. Working in tandem with airbags, occupant detection systems, and ADAS, the new Volvo EX60 is set to mark a new milestone in vehicle safety with its multi-adaptive safety belt. View All Volvos For Sale Image Source: Volvo Cars

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