Tag Archives: Volvo

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Volvo EX90 Nails Five Stars in Euro NCAP: Safety Nerds, Rejoice

Volvo didn’t just ace the latest round of Euro NCAP safety testing—the brand’s new all-electric flagship, the EX90, walked away with a full five-star score and some of the highest marks handed out this year. If you’ve been paying attention, this shouldn’t shock you. Safety is practically Volvo’s middle name. If the company could trademark seatbelts, it probably would have.

Euro NCAP, Europe’s long-standing independent crash-test authority, put the seven-seat family hauler through its usual gauntlet of impacts, avoidance maneuvers, and child-safety evaluations. The EX90 didn’t flinch. It delivered especially strong results in both adult and child occupant protection—categories that carry real-world significance for families who care about more than just charging time and touchscreen sizes.

“Volvo Cars has long been a pioneer in automotive safety, and the EX90 is the latest example of that leadership,” says Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo’s Safety Centre. According to Volvo, the SUV’s performance reflects more than five decades of studying actual crashes—over 50,000 of them involving more than 80,000 people. This isn’t theory; it’s data-driven design shaped by what happens on real roads, not just what looks good in a controlled lab.

That research forms the backbone of the company’s internal Volvo Cars Safety Standard, a benchmark that goes beyond legal testing requirements. In practice, that means the EX90 isn’t just trying to pass tests—it’s engineered for the unpredictable chaos of daily traffic.

The EX90 is also the most digitally advanced Volvo to date. Built around core computing and constantly updated software, the SUV uses a suite of sensors, radars, and cameras to build a live 360-degree picture of its surroundings. Volvo calls this Safe Space Technology: an integrated safety net that not only reacts to danger but actively looks for it.

Inside, the hardware is equally serious. Reinforced structures and updated restraint systems are tuned specifically for the EX90’s electric architecture. One standout is the driver understanding system—named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024—which monitors the driver’s condition in real time. If the system senses fatigue, distraction, or anything that suggests the person behind the wheel isn’t fully engaged, it offers support. Think of it as having a hyper-aware co-pilot who never blinks.

There’s also a full-cabin occupant sensing setup capable of detecting movements as subtle as a baby’s breathing. If someone—or something small—is left inside unintentionally, the car can alert the driver. For parents, pet owners, or anyone prone to misplacing things, that’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.

The five-star score joins a growing trophy shelf for the EX90, which already claimed the 2024 World Luxury Car Award earlier this year. With its blend of digital smarts, conservative Volvo style, and a safety strategy built on decades of real-world data, the EX90 isn’t just another electric SUV. It’s the latest chapter in Volvo’s long-running mission to make crashes less deadly—and ideally, less likely in the first place.

Source: Volvo

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Volvo Plots Its Electric Future — With Scandinavian Calm and Geely Muscle

Volvo, that most Swedish of carmakers — all calm tones, high safety, and minimalist furniture chic — just rolled out a business plan that sounds, well, almost aggressive. At an investor event in Stockholm, the brand outlined how it plans to make serious money out of going electric. Not just survive it — profit from it. The number they’ve set their sights on? A tidy EBIT margin north of 8 per cent. That’s boardroom code for “we’re going to make proper cash again, thank you very much.”

And at the heart of this grand Scandinavian scheme is a car with the charisma to make Tesla sweat and BMW’s accountants nervous — the Volvo EX60. Due to be revealed in January 2026, this mid-size SUV will sit squarely in the most hotly contested segment on Earth. It’s built on Volvo’s new SPA3 architecture, a flexible, future-proof base that’ll underpin the brand’s next wave of electric machines. Volvo says it’ll be a game-changer for price, performance, and cost. Bold words — but then again, this is Volvo 2.0: calm on the outside, quietly ruthless underneath.

“Electrification is an opportunity for us and the main driver for growth,” said CEO Håkan Samuelsson, doing his best to sound like a man who doesn’t secretly own a petrol V90 for fun. And he has a point. Volvo’s relationship with its parent company Geely — once considered an odd couple — is now paying off in spades. Joint hardware sourcing, shared tech, and a regionalised manufacturing strategy mean the Swedes can make electric cars faster and cheaper than ever before, without compromising that crisp, ethical image.

Fredrik Hansson, the CFO, threw around the sort of words that usually make investors nod sagely — “variable cost reductions,” “hardware synergies,” and “structurally lower investments.” Translated: Volvo’s tightening its belt, sharing its toys, and making sure every krona does more work. The brand’s SEK 18 billion cost-and-cash action plan (that’s billions with a B) is all part of a push to bring spending down to “an affordable level.” Which is finance-speak for “we’ve spent enough on fancy factories for now.”

But there’s a clever twist here. Volvo isn’t just trimming costs; it’s doubling down on brains. By expanding its in-house software platform across all models — even hybrids — it’s aiming to create one seamless digital experience. Your car updates, adapts, and maybe even apologises when it gets something wrong. It’s all part of the company’s drive to make its cars not only electrified but intelligent.

On the commercial side, Volvo’s shaking up how it sells cars, too. Think fewer middlemen, more online direct sales, and marketing that’s actually designed to pull new customers in without setting money on fire. A more customer-centric sales model means better prices for buyers and better margins for Volvo — a rare win-win in the automotive jungle.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this corporate theatre? Volvo’s quietly building momentum. It’s laying the groundwork for an electric future that’s not just sustainable, but properly profitable. The EX60 will be the first big test — the car that proves whether Volvo can take on the likes of Audi’s Q6 e-tron and BMW’s iX3 on merit and margin.

If it drives as cleanly as the spreadsheets promise, it might just be the most important Volvo since the XC90 turned the brand into a global player two decades ago.

Because in a world obsessed with shouting about horsepower and range, Volvo’s playing the long game — and doing it with typical Scandinavian poise. Calm. Quiet. And possibly about to make a fortune.

Source: Volvo

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Volvo’s October Report: A Chill Wind, But There’s Fire Under the Bonnet

Volvo Cars has released its October numbers, and while the Swedish marque isn’t exactly popping champagne corks, there’s still a glimmer of Scandinavian stoicism shining through the spreadsheets. Global sales clocked in at 60,455 cars, a 2% dip compared to last year — not a collapse, more like a gentle sigh in the face of an industry-wide headwind.

Erik Severinson, Volvo’s Chief Commercial Officer, summed it up with corporate poise: “Challenging market conditions continue to impact our business.” Translation: everyone’s feeling the squeeze. Still, Severinson pointed out two bright spots — China and Europe — where sales momentum seems to be thawing the autumn chill. The Chinese market is getting a boost from the new XC70 long-range plug-in hybrid, while Europe’s electric enthusiasm is keeping the batteries warm.

Over in the US, though, the story’s less rosy. With EV tax credits phasing out, the American market has suddenly remembered that electric cars are expensive and that plug sockets don’t grow on trees. It’s not just Volvo feeling the pinch — the entire automotive industry is watching Washington’s incentive dance with raised eyebrows and crossed fingers.

Electrified but Not Fully Charged

Now, to the heart of Volvo’s modern identity — electrification. Nearly half of all Volvos sold in October (49%) had some form of electrification, whether plug-in or full BEV. That’s slightly down from last year’s 50%, but considering the global market’s turbulence, it’s still a respectable figure.

Fully electric models actually inched up 4% year-on-year, now making up 23% of total sales, while plug-in hybrids slipped 6%, accounting for 26%. It’s clear which side of the charging cable is pulling harder. The Swedes are leaning ever more into the future — even if the numbers suggest it’s a cautious shuffle rather than a sprint.

The Model Breakdown: Familiar Faces, Familiar Results

Volvo’s best-seller crown remains firmly perched on the XC60, with 18,123 units sold — down from 19,846 last year but still comfortably leading the lineup. The XC40/EX40 duo followed with 15,194 cars, actually up on last year’s 14,088. Meanwhile, the XC90, Volvo’s stately family ship, saw a drop to 7,417 from 8,517.

It’s a reminder that even in an era of EV buzz and digital dashboards, Volvo’s bread and butter remains the SUV — preferably one painted in muted grey with a hint of sustainable smugness.

Year-to-Date Snapshot: Tougher Roads Ahead

Looking at the first ten months of 2025, total sales are down 8%, landing at 574,749 units. Electrified models are off 10%, and while fully electric models grew slightly in October, they’re still down 19% year-to-date. Clearly, the global EV market isn’t immune to economic jitters — from charging infrastructure hiccups to inflation fatigue, there’s a lot of static in the system.

But if you know Volvo, you know they’re not panickers. This is a company that’s built its legacy on composure, safety, and the quiet confidence of a car that’ll parallel park itself while you’re still sipping your oat latte.

So yes, Volvo’s October numbers might look like a frosty morning in Gothenburg — but under the surface, there’s movement. The XC70 plug-in hybrid is starting to make waves in China, European BEV demand is humming along nicely, and the brand’s transition to full electrification remains on course — just with a few potholes along the way.

For now, Volvo’s strategy seems to be: keep calm, keep charging, and trust that Scandinavian serenity beats short-term panic. After all, when the rest of the industry’s flapping about, there’s something reassuring about a carmaker that simply nods, adjusts its knitted jumper, and quietly gets back to work.

Source: Volvo