The two people, who are familiar with Volvo’s plans, requested anonymity because the details have not been released by the company. Geely declined to comment.
Among the new battery electric vehicles planned for the next four years is a Volvo branded van based on Geely’s Zeekr branded vehicle sold in China.
Called the Zeekr 009, the giant battery-powered vans start at around 500,000 yuan ($74,179) and offer three rows of seats. The vehicle competes with the likes of the Toyota Alphard, a business or family van with seats like business class on an airplane that has become a popular limousine alternative in Asian markets such as China and Japan. I’m here.
Volvo has moved development work on its sedan and upcoming people mover model to its Shanghai R&D base, they said. The center, which has tripled its design staff to about 60 people, recently moved to a new and larger building in Shanghai, one of his sources said.
The first of Volvo’s planned new electric models, the EX90 battery-electric crossover, was unveiled late last year. It is expected to go on sale in early 2024.
Other battery electric vehicles in the pipeline include electric versions of Volvo’s flagship XC90, XC60 and XC40 crossovers, as well as the S60 and S90 sedans, the sources said.
These cars follow Volvo’s well-established simple design cues, but the new van has a more “emotional” design, built from a Zeekr 009 with a huge LED-lit grille. Target buyers in China and other markets. a source said.
Volvo has split its gasoline engine and hybrid powertrain business and sold it to Geely. The Chinese automaker is moving to consolidate all of its gasoline powertrain assets, including Volvo, and plants carved out of Renault to form a new company focused on hybrid and gasoline engines.
Reuters reported that Renault and Geely are finalizing a deal to bring Saudi Aramco into the business as an investor and partner.