Volvo XC90 to live on alongside electric Embla successor – report
Today's Volvo XC90 will remain in production after its electric 'Embla' successor goes on sale, as sales of petrol and hybrid cars continue to exceed those of electric cars.
The current Volvo XC90 large SUV will be sold alongside its next-generation electric-only successor set for unveiling later this year – set to wear the Embla name – a new report indicates.
Speaking to Automotive News, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson confirmed the current petrol-powered XC90 would remain in production and on sale alongside its successor – which will offer electric power only, and is tipped to wear the Embla name – as demand for hybrid vehicles remains strong.
"That's an advantage of building the new one in Charleston [South Carolina]. Why should we close down the old one in Torslanda [Sweden] when you still have a market for hybrids, especially in America and China," Samuelsson told the publication.
Automotive News reports the XC90 will receive another facelift to keep it fresh alongside its more advanced electric successor, as by the time it is revealed later this year, the current model will be eight years old – following its global reveal in August 2014, making it Volvo's oldest model.
"We will even look into upgrading it so it looks a bit better. But, technology wise, we'll invest in the new generation of all-electric cars," Samuelsson said.
Keen readers may recall the first-generation Volvo XC90 (launched in 2004) was briefly sold alongside the second- generation model (the vehicle on sale today) in certain markets in 2015 and 2016, with the original car badged as the 'XC Classic' in various regions.
The current XC90 remains one of the company's most popular models, with 108,231 sold globally in 2021, or 1323 in Australia – making it the brand's third best-selling vehicle.
Set for reveal before the end of 2022, the XC90 successor – set to be badged Embla, based on comments from CEO Samuelsson, and trademarks – will be the first in a line of new dedicated Volvo electric vehicles, with the brand planning to debut one new EV each year until 2025.
Underpinning the Embla is expected to be Volvo's new SPA2 (Scalable Product Architecture) platform – and while some rumours point to the availability of petrol engines, it's believed the model will be offered exclusively with electric power.
The Embla will be twinned with the new Polestar 3 electric performance SUV – which will offer two rows of seats, rather than three – as well as a rumoured super-sized SUV codenamed V616, designed to rival the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Australian timing for the new Volvo 'Embla' is yet to be confirmed, however it's possible it may be branded as a Model Year 2024 vehicle – correlating to first deliveries in the second half of 2023 (though this is yet to be confirmed).
Volvo plans for 50 per cent of its global sales to be electric by 2025, before going all-electric globally by 2030.