All articles tagged with #volvo
Volvo has significantly upgraded the 2028 XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids, doubling their all-electric range to 78 and 73 miles respectively. The update features larger floor-mounted batteries, new safety tech, and a Gemini-powered infotainment system, reflecting a strategic pivot toward hybrids after scaling back pure EV targets.
Volvo has revealed the 2028 XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids, featuring a significantly larger battery that more than doubles their all-electric range. The XC60 now offers 78 miles of electric driving, while the XC90 provides 73 miles, both powered by a 37.9 kWh usable battery. These updates aim to make plug-in hybrids more practical for daily commuting without requiring frequent charging.
Volvo has discontinued the EX40 electric crossover in the United States, leaving the EX60 as its only entry-level EV. While the EX40 receives a facelift for European markets, the U.S. will instead receive a refreshed gas-powered XC40. A new EX50 model is expected to replace the discontinued EVs by late 2027.
Volvo has unveiled a significant 2028 refresh for its compact XC40 SUV, featuring a redesigned exterior, a larger 11.2-inch display, and advanced safety sensors. However, the company has confirmed that the all-electric EX40 variant will not be sold in the United States, leaving only the gas-powered B5 trim available domestically.
Polestar claims the US government misled it into believing it would be approved to sell electric vehicles in the US, only to reject its application one month after approving its sister company, Volvo. The automaker is exiting the US market for the 2027 model year but is demanding an explanation for the disparate treatment. Dealers are suing the company for failing to secure regulatory approval, while Polestar shifts its focus to Europe.
Polestar will cease US sales after 2026 without appealing the Commerce Department's ban, but it is demanding an explanation for why its sister brand, Volvo, was approved to continue selling nearly identical vehicles. The automaker alleges the decision is 'contrary to law' and cites prior assurances that approval was likely if Volvo was granted permission.
A Swedish hobbyist, Pelle Söderström, built an 8.1-liter inline-16 engine dubbed Herkules 1934 by wiring four Volvo B20 blocks into one crank-driven unit. With a two-meter-long crank, the design is limited to about 3,000 rpm to protect the drivetrain, delivering roughly 264 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. The project reportedly required around 13,000 hours and is supported by a workshop manual (in Swedish, with English translation). Videos showcase a loud, industrial-sounding start-up rather than a refined exotic note.
Polestar will not be allowed to sell model year 2027+ vehicles in the US after the BIS declined to authorize sales under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which bans vehicles with a nexus to China or Russia. Volvo—also Geely-owned—was granted authorization, underlining that corporate structure and software sourcing, not assembly location, drive the decision. Polestar will continue selling existing stock and servicing current owners, while pivoting toward Europe and other growth markets (Europe accounts for the bulk of its sales). The ruling sets a precedent that Chinese ownership can restrict entry to the US market, with potential implications for other automakers and US policy.
Volvo unveils the all‑electric EX60 on the SPA3 platform with roughly 400 miles of range, 800V charging, and a structural battery that integrates cells into the floor. The car uses megacasting to replace more than 100 rear-floor parts, aided by two 6,000‑ton machines, and features HuginCore software with Google Gemini AI and OTA updates, plus one‑pedal driving. Pricing starts at about $59,795 for the P6 Plus and climbs to $68,745 for the P10 Ultra, with a P12 variant planned. Volvo also highlights moose‑proof safety testing and a minimalist interior.
Geely Holding is quietly building a U.S. foothold by owning stakes in Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus, plus its Zeekr/Lynk & Co brands, gaining dealer-network access and potential U.S. production. Volvo’s Charleston, SC plant could expand, with XC60 hybrid adding about 45k units/year and Volvo aiming for roughly 200k U.S. sales, with a large portion produced locally. Zeekr is seen as the best candidate to lead a U.S. entry, aided by Waymo’s use of Zeekr tech, while bipartisan opposition to Chinese automakers persists; other Chinese players like BYD and CATL are expanding in the U.S. The takeaway: Geely’s U.S. strategy hinges on networks, platforms, and potential local manufacturing.
Volvo will discontinue the EX30 in the U.S. after the 2026 model year, with production winding down after the summer and orders open until March 20, 2026. The EX60 and EX90 will continue in the U.S., while the EX30 remains available in other markets.
Volvo has canceled the EX30 for the U.S. market and will stop selling the EX30 and EX30 Cross Country after the 2026 model year, citing a combination of tariff-driven price pressure, a late-quality/price misalignment (roughly $50k), and reliability/software issues; production moved to Europe helped the decision. Volvo says it will continue electrification with upcoming models like the EX90 and EX60, signaling a shift away from this small urban EV despite ongoing demand for EVs overall.
Volvo Cars is recalling about 40,000 electric SUVs due to a battery fire risk.
Geely, which controls Volvo, plans to build cars in the U.S. via Volvo’s South Carolina plant, but a new Commerce Department rule requires that all software and connectivity tech be free of Chinese control. Software for model years 2027+ must be certified, with per-model/year authorizations, and hardware bans begin for 2030; no waivers have been issued yet. Volvo may help navigate approvals, but Geely would need to prove software origin and data governance for every model/year before selling in America.
Yamaha quietly powered a surprising roster of production cars—Lexus LFA’s 1LR-GUE V10 with real-time acoustic calibration; Volvo XC90 and S80 V8s with a compact 60-degree Yamaha-built V8 and a balance shaft; Ford Taurus SHO with Yamaha-built heads and related V6/V8 developments; Noble M600’s 4.4L twin-turbo V8; and Toyota’s early 2000GT collaboration—showing Yamaha’s influence on performance and packaging across brands.