Dalam perubahan strategik, Volvo Cars telah mengumumkan keputusannya untuk menghentikan pembiayaan Polestar Automotive Holding, jenama kereta mewah yang dimiliki bersama oleh Volvo dan Geely Holding. Volvo, yang memiliki kira-kira 48% saham Polestar, menyaksikan sahamnya melonjak lebih dari 30% pada pembukaan pasaran selepas pengumuman itu. Para penganalisis telah mengkritik keterlibatan besar Volvo dalam Polestar, menganggapnya sebagai bebanan sumber untuk pengeluar automotif Sweden tersebut.
Polestar, seperti jenama kenderaan elektrik (EV) baru lain, menghadapi cabaran, terutamanya dengan ketatnya persaingan di pasaran EV yang ditonjolkan oleh perang harga Tesla. Baru-baru ini, jenama itu gagal mencapai sasaran penghantaran yang dikurangkan untuk tahun 2023. Sejak menjadi syarikat awam pada Jun 2022 melalui penggabungan dengan syarikat pemerolehan tujuan khas (SPAC), saham Polestar merosot lebih dari 83%.
Keputusan Volvo Cars untuk menghentikan pembiayaan Polestar telah membawa kepada Geely Holding yang mengambil tanggungjawab untuk jenama mewah yang sedang berjuang itu. Pembangunan ini telah memacu kenaikan yang ketara dalam saham Volvo, meningkat lebih dari 30% pada pembukaan pasaran. Walaupun terdapat pertimbangan untuk mengedarkan saham Polestar kepada pemegang saham Volvo, Geely Holding menyambut baik keputusan itu, berjanji untuk menyediakan sokongan operasi dan kewangan kepada Polestar tanpa mengurangkan pegangan sahamnya dalam Volvo Cars.
In a strategic shift, Volvo Cars has announced its decision to cease funding Polestar Automotive Holding, the luxury car brand jointly owned by Volvo and Geely Holding. Volvo, which owns approximately 48% of Polestar’s shares, saw its stock surge by more than 30% at the market open following the announcement. Analysts have criticised Volvo’s heavy involvement in Polestar, considering it a drain on resources for the Swedish automaker.
Challenges for Polestar in a Competitive EV Market
Polestar, like other new electric vehicle (EV) brands, has faced challenges, especially with the intensifying competition in the EV market, highlighted by Tesla’s price war. The brand recently fell short of its reduced delivery targets for 2023. Since going public in June 2022 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Polestar’s shares have declined by over 83%.
Geely Takes the Reins, Volvo Shares Soar
Volvo Cars’ decision to relinquish funding for Polestar has led to Geely Holding taking on the responsibility for the struggling luxury brand. This development has fuelled a significant surge in Volvo’s stock, rising over 30% at market open. While there were considerations of distributing Polestar shares to Volvo’s shareholders, Geely Holding has welcomed the decision, committing to providing operational and financial support to Polestar without reducing its shareholding in Volvo Cars.
Kenderaan elektrik baharu Volvo, ES90, dijangka akan menggantikan model S90, menandakan komitmen pembuat kereta ini kepada elektrifikasi.
Dibina atas platform SPA2, sedan mewah sederhana ini akan dilengkapi dengan satu atau dua motor elektrik dan bateri bersih bersaiz besar, dengan kapasiti kasar 111 kWh atau bersih 107 kWh, memberikan jarak perjalanan lebih 600km. ES90 akan sedikit lebih besar daripada S90, dengan panjang 4,999 mm, lebar 1,945 mm, dan tinggi 1,547 mm, serta jarak roda 3,102 mm.
2021 Volvo S90 T8 Recharge PHEV
Dikenali sebagai Projek V551 secara dalaman, ES90 dengan penggerak empat roda dijangka mempunyai berat sekitar 2600kg, manakala varian motor tunggal akan mempunyai berat sekitar 2500kg.
Pengeluaran dijadualkan bermula pada Mei 2024, dengan penghantaran pertama kepada pelanggan dijangka pada pertengahan 2025. ES90 akan terlebih dahulu tersedia di China dan Eropah, dengan tumpuan khusus untuk memperluaskan pasaran ke negara seperti Amerika Syarikat. Tiada laporan mengenai pengenalan model ini di pasaran Malaysia, jadi kita perlu bersabar untuk maklumat lanjut.
Langkah ini merupakan sebahagian daripada strategi umum Volvo untuk memperkenalkan enam model elektrik menjelang 2026, dengan Volvo elektrik baru ini menyumbang kepada komitmen jenama terhadap kelestarian dan inovasi.
Volvo’s upcoming electric vehicle, the ES90, is set to replace the S90, marking the automaker’s commitment to electrification.
Built on the SPA2 platform, the mid-size luxury sedan will feature one or two electric motors and a substantial 111 kWh gross or 107 kWh net battery, providing a range of over 600km. The ES90 will be slightly larger than its internal combustion engine counterpart, measuring 4,999 mm in length, 1,945 mm in width, and 1,547 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,102 mm.
Internally known as Project V551, the all-wheel-drive ES90 is expected to weigh 2600kg, while the single-engine variant will weigh 2500kg.
Production is scheduled to begin in May 2024, with the first customer deliveries anticipated in mid-2025. The ES90 will initially be available in China and Europe, with a particular focus on expanding into markets such as the United States. There are no reports of it being introduced into the Malaysian market so we will just have to play the waiting game for now.
This move is part of Volvo’s broader strategy to introduce six electric models by 2026, with the new electric Volvo contributing to the brand’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Menjelang 2030, Volvo Cars merancang untuk hanya menjual kereta elektrik sepenuhnya dan menjelang tahun 2040, ia menyasarkan untuk menjadi syarikat yang neutral iklim. Pelan hala tuju yang jelas ke arah elektrifikasi sepenuhnya tersebut merupakan salah satu pelan transformasi yang bercita-cita- tinggi bagi mana-mana pembuat kereta legasi.
Untuk menekankan komitmen mereka terhadap cita-cita tersebut, Volvo mengumumkan penamatan pengeluaran untuk semua model kereta Volvo berkuasa diesel menjelang awal 2024 pada Minggu Iklim NYC (Climate Week NYC). Dalam beberapa bulan dari sekarang, kereta Volvo berkuasa diesel yang terakhir akan dibina, menjadikan Volvo Cars sebagai salah satu pembuat kereta legasi pertama yang mengambil angkah ini.
Pencapaian ini mengikut keputusan Volvo Cars tahun lepas untuk berhenti daripada membangunkan enjin pembakaran baharu. Pada November 2022, syarikat tersebut telah menjual pegangan mereka dalam Aurobay, syarikat usaha sama yang menyimpan semua baki aset enjin pembakaran mereka. Sejak itu, Volvo Cars tidak lagi membelanjakan satu krona daripada bajet R&D mereka untuk membangunkan enjin pembakaran dalaman yangl baharu.
Volvo Cars memberi tumpuan sepenuhnya pada elektrifikasi, cita-cita untuk berterusan ke arah kemampanan sejak syarikat itu telah akui pada Persidangan Alam Sekitar yang pertama oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (United Nations) di Stockholm pada tahun 1972 bahawa produknya mempunyai kesan negatif terhadap alam sekitar. Disebabkan itu, Volvo ia bertekad untuk bertindak ke atasnya.
Laporan Pengambilan Stok (Stocktake) Iklim Global yang dikeluarkan oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu baru-baru ini menggariskan betapa terdesaknya kecemasan iklim yang sedang dihadapi oleh manusia yang memerlukan pertindakan.
Untuk menekankan lagi perkara ini, Ketua Pegawai Kelestarian, Anders Kärrberg telah menghadir acara yang dianjurkan oleh Gabungan Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) pada tahun 2023 Dilancarkan pada sidang kemuncak iklim COP27, Gabungan A2Z menyediakan sebuah platform multi-stakeholder untuk para penandatangan Deklarasi Glasgow mengenai Kenderaan Sifar Pelepasan, yang mana Volvo Cars adalah salah satunya.
Platform A2Z tersebut membolehkan Volvo Cars bekerjasama dan menyelaraskan tindakan dengan pihak lain ke arah sasaran kolektif gabungan itu iaitu ‘100 peratus jualan kereta dan van baharu global yang bebas daripada pelepasan paip ekor menjelang 2040, dan selewat-lewatnya tahun 2035 di pasaran terkemuka’.
Walaupun sasaran dan cita-cita elektrifikasi Volvo Cars lebih tinggi daripada itu, ia mengharapkan bahawa ia dapat memberikan inspirasi kepada syarikat lain untuk mengambil langkah untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap perubahan iklim.
Keputusan untuk menghentikan diesel dengan sepenuhnya menjelang awal 2024 menggambarkan betapa cepatnya industri kereta dan permintaan pelanggan berubah dalam menghadapi krisis iklim.
Hanya empat tahun yang lalu, enjin diesel merupakan elemen terpenting buat Volvo Car bukan sahaja buat kami di Eropah, malah juga pembuat kereta lain. Majoriti kereta yang dijual di benua itu pada 2019 dikuasakan oleh enjin diesel, manakala model-model elektrik baru sahaja mula menonjol.
Trend itu sebahagian besarnya telah berubah sejak itu dan ia didorong oleh permintaan pasaran yang berlainan, peraturan pelepasan yang lebih ketat serta pertumpuan kami pada elektrifikasi. Majoriti jualan Volvo Cars di Eropah kini terdiri daripada kereta elektrik, sama ada dengan penjana kuasa hibrid elektrik sepenuhnya atau separuh elektrik.
Pengurangan kereta diesel di jalanan juga mempunyai kesan positif terhadap kualiti udara bandar; walaupun diesel mengeluarkan CO2 yang lebih kurang daripada enjin petrol, ia mengeluarkan lebih banyak gas seperti nitrogen oksida (NOx) yang mempunyai kesan buruk terhadap kualiti udara terutamanya di kawasan binaan.
Volvo Cars, a pioneer in the automotive industry, declared at Climate Week NYC that it will cease the production of all diesel-powered models by early 2024, reaffirming its commitment to becoming a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. This bold move positions Volvo Cars as one of the first legacy automakers to discontinue diesel production.
The decision to end diesel production aligns with Volvo Cars’ ambitious transformation plan, aiming for a fully electric vehicle (EV) lineup by 2030 and aspiring to be a climate-neutral company by 2040. The company has already divested from the development of new combustion engines, selling its stake in Aurobay, the joint venture holding its remaining combustion engine assets, in November 2022.
Volvo Cars has been at the forefront of sustainability since acknowledging its products’ negative environmental impact in 1972. The recent Global Climate Stocktake report from the United Nations underscores the urgent need for action against climate change.
The decision to phase out diesel production by early 2024 reflects the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive industry and evolving customer preferences. Only four years ago, diesel engines constituted a significant portion of Volvo Cars’ sales in Europe. Today, the majority of the company’s European sales are electrified cars, reflecting the shift in market demand and Volvo’s focus on electrification.
As Volvo Cars paves the way for a sustainable future, the decision to discontinue diesel production contributes to improved urban air quality by reducing emissions of gases like nitrogen oxide (NOx) associated with diesel engines.
The review process will involve a comprehensive analysis of the current regulations and SOPs related to the transportation sector, with a specific focus on their applicability to electric vehicles. This analysis will identify areas where modifications and updates are needed to align with the distinctive features of EVs, especially heavy electric vehicles.
As reported by Bernama, Transport Minister Anthony Loke emphasised the necessity for modifications in the regulations, considering the evolving nature of the transportation landscape with the introduction of EVs. He pointed out that certain regulations designed for traditional diesel commercial vehicles may not be suitable for the unique requirements of EVs. The Ministry aims to streamline and adapt these regulations to cater to the growing prominence of EVs, particularly in the heavy vehicle category.
Furthermore, Loke highlighted the importance of reducing bureaucracy to encourage private-sector investments in the EV sector. By creating a conducive market environment for EVs and electric prime movers, the government seeks to enhance the country’s image in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Aligning with global trends, the initiative also strives to help multinational companies lower their carbon footprint by offering EV-friendly infrastructure and services.
The launch of the Swift Green Logistics division and the delivery of the first Malaysian electric prime mover to Unilever Malaysia at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) marked a significant step in promoting the adoption of EVs within the country. Loke expressed confidence that this initiative will set a precedent for other companies to invest in EVs, predicting a growing preference for electric prime movers among customers in the coming years.
The directive from the Transport Ministry to review the SOPs and regulations related to electric vehicles reflects a proactive approach to adapting the regulatory framework to the changing dynamics of the transportation industry. The effort not only supports the growth of the EV sector but also aligns with environmental sustainability goals and enhances the country’s attractiveness for investment. The initiation of this review is an essential step towards fostering a more EV-friendly transportation landscape in Malaysia.
Volvo Cars has announced its plan to cease the production of remaining diesel models by early 2024, marking a significant step towards transitioning into an all-electric car manufacturer. The move aligns with Volvo’s commitment to achieving a fully electric lineup by 2030.
This decision positions Volvo as one of the pioneering traditional automakers to make this shift. Diesel-powered Volvo cars will cease production in a few months, signifying a decisive move toward electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
A teaser for Volvo’s first fully electric MPV, the EM90, has been released ahead of its official debut on November 12, 2023, in China.
There are currently few details available about the EM90, but Volvo claims it offers a mobile Scandinavian living room experience intended to maximize time spent in the car. The EM90 provides a space that perfectly fits into your lifestyle, according to the firm, emphasizing that it is more than just a mode of transportation.
There is no other car in the world that is so closely associated with a profession than a Volvo is with a doctor.
For some reason, Volvo’s have been as closely related to doctors as a mechanic is to his tools. Perhaps it is because doctors are always on the road, tending to clinics or hospitals and need to get somewhere fast and safe.
This association has somewhat dwindled now, but it was quite a thing back in the 80s and 90s, in Malaysia at least.
Having grown up in the tin mining town of Kampar, Perak, this writer vividly recalls a family of doctors who drove nothing else but Volvos, except for the odd Nissan or so which served as the second or third car.
The father of the family had clinics in different towns and spent a lot of time on the country roads that connected the towns of Temoh, Kampar and Malim Nawar. Back in the 80s and 90s, the roads were unsafe with very little in terms of safety awareness.
And the doctor was well known for being a fast driver; many used to share harrowing tales of having to be a passenger with him.
Perhaps he drove that way because he had three clinics to tend to in a day. All located about 30-40 kilometers apart. So, it was quite common to hear about him getting into accidents every once in a while, and nasty ones too.
But he always walked away unscathed. His Volvos though, rarely fared well.
That doctor is still with us today, well into his 70s and perhaps reading these pages as he is sometimes known to do. And he still drives a Volvo. An XC40 Recharge that he loves for its performance, efficiency, and handling.
While there is no doubt that Volvos are still incredibly safe cars, these days, a Volvo is much more than just that. The cars are good-looking and attract a much wider, younger audience thanks to a stunning design language and an abundance of power.
The XC90 that you see here is one such example, beginning life in 2002 as the first ever Volvo SUV and currently in its second generation that was introduced in 2015.
The model seen here is the 2023 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid that is meant to be efficient and comfortable. But it also has a dark side to it too – an abundance of power.
Placed underneath that beautiful design wrapped in crystal white, is a powertrain that is made up of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that sends power to the front wheels through an 8-speed gearbox. Power from the engine is rated at 317PS and 400Nm of torque which is available from as low as 3000rpm.
But that’s not all, complementing the engine is an electric motor placed at the rear axle. This motor is powered by an 18.8kWh battery pack and has an output of 145PS and 309Nm of torque.
The engine and motor are capable of operating independently of each other. When the electric motor is working by itself, it has a electric range of 70km on the WLTP cycle, though we saw a range of about 60km in real world driving conditions around Kuala Lumpur.
When depleted, the battery can be recharged using regenerative braking as you go about your regular driving. Though this only works best when driving long distance such as to Ipoh or Penang.
Alternatively, you can simply plug in the charging cables into a regular three-pin home socket which will charge the car up in a claimed 13 hours, though we somehow managed to do it in under nine hours. A faster 3.7kW AC charger will charge the battery to 100% in just five hours.
The real magic here though is when both the engine and the electric motor work in unison. This gives you a very impressive combined system output of 462PS and 709Nm of torque; a figure which was once associated with supercars.
This amount of power can slingshot the 2.7-ton behemoth to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. Or if you feather the throttle, it can return a consumption rate of just 1.8-litres per 100km, which is equally as impressive as the performance it offers on tap. This seemingly contrasting character of the XC90 is what makes the SUV such a charming machine to own, because it seemingly understands all your needs.
But don’t mistake it for a performance SUV though, it is far from that. This Volvo rides on air suspension, and this gives it a comfortable ride quality that is quite like that of luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or a BMW 7-Series. And comfort is what it does better than pure driving performance.
When pushed hard on the highway, the SUV tends to dive under hard braking and squats under acceleration. When the roads present fun corners, the body roll of the XC90 is quite noticeable and this forces you to slow down.
Dive deeper into the performance aspect of the car and you will notice that the brakes are not confidence inspiring either, and tend to feel mushy at first bite. This brake feel is a typical character of a car with a regenerative braking system.
Even the top speed of the XC90 is electronically-limited to 180kmh. In fact, as of 2020, all new Volvos have their top speed limited to 180kmh. Though the XC90 does feel like it could do 290kmh all day long.
So, the Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge may have the performance numbers that could put some sports cars to shame, but it is not built for that. It does however excel at comfort. That air suspension offers an incredibly plush ride that soaks up everything the road throws at it. The windows too are double-layered and this result in a cabin so quiet that you can almost hear your own thoughts.
Long distance drives are easily managed, and that is not just testament to the incredible power and comfort it offers, but also the interior features. The ventilated seats with heating and cooling are some of the most supportive in the industry.
The 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system too deserves a special mention as it is quite possibly the best in its segment. As far as interior features go, the only complaint is that the gloss black panels tend to get inundated with fingerprints and dust after just a day or two of use.
The nine-inch portrait style screen houses all the essential controls for the interior, such as the air-conditioning controls and even the drive mode selection. This does free up the dashboard of all the clutter from the buttons and knobs, but this also means that you need to take your eyes of the road to see controls on the screen.
This does mean that simple functions like selecting the drive mode is now a three-step process when it could be achieved by a simple press of a button. Perhaps Volvo could take a card of the Lexus way of designing a dashboard since taking your eyes off the road does not seem like something Volvo would want you to do.
Besides that though the XC90 is brilliant for a family of four or five. It is also an incredibly comfortable car to be driven in as well with its air suspension, acres of interior space and a sound system that could make some sound studios rethink their purpose in life. What more could you want in an SUV?
Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged with electric motor
Power: 462PS (Combined with electric motor)
Torque: 709 Nm (Combined with electric motor)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with Geartronic
Suspension: Active Chassis with Four-Corner Air Suspension
