[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-china-is-central-to-volvo\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-china-is-central-to-volvo\/","headline":"Why China is central to Volvo\u2019s electric ambitions","name":"Why China is central to Volvo\u2019s electric ambitions","description":"Volvo is a brand usually renowned for its intense focus on safety. For decades now, it has strived to produce cars that are safer than everything else out there, with its models regularly being named best in class for safety features. By 2020, all new Volvo cars will be deathproof – in the way that no one travelling inside a Volvo will die as a result of a collision. It sounds ridiculous but they\u2019re actually doing it because no road […]","datePublished":"2018-05-15","dateModified":"2018-05-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Volvo-RANGE-2018-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Volvo-RANGE-2018-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-china-is-central-to-volvo\/","about":["ELECTRIC CARS","HYBRID","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":522,"keywords":["china","electric cars","volvo"],"articleBody":"Volvo is a brand usually renowned for its intense focus on safety.For decades now, it has strived to produce cars that are safer than everything else out there, with its models regularly being named best in class for safety features.By 2020, all new Volvo cars will be deathproof – in the way that no one travelling inside a Volvo will die as a result of a collision. It sounds ridiculous but they\u2019re actually doing it because no road deaths have been recorded in the XC90 since 2004 when records began. Now, the Swedish brand is turning its attention to electric cars, aiming for half its sales to be fully electric by 2025.This follows a previous announcement back in July 2017 that every Volvo launched from 2019 would have an electric motor involved in its powertrain at some stage, be it a petrol\/diesel-electric hybrid or a full-on EV. But this massive claim significantly expands the brand\u2019s electric ambition.So where are the Volvo EVs?At this moment, you can\u2019t buy an all-electric Volvo. In fact, one hasn\u2019t even been confirmed for production so it\u2019ll be at least 18 months before one enters showrooms. On top of that, only five models can be ordered as a plug-in hybrid (XC90, V90, S90, XC60 and V60).We\u2019re not doubting Volvo\u2019s ability to electrify half its sales by 2025 (look at its success in terms of vehicle safety), but it\u2019s such a short space of time for such a radical shift. Some of you might be asking why Volvo would impose this tight deadline on themselves – part of the answer is China.\u2018China\u2019s electric future\u2019The country is the world\u2019s leading market for electrified cars. Chinese motorists bought half of the 1.2 million plug-in vehicles sold worldwide in 2017 and experts predict they could be snapping up two million a year by 2020.To put that in perspective, only 200,000 EVs were sold in the US in 2017 – a third of what China shifted. China is also Volvo\u2019s largest market, representing around a fifth of the brand\u2019s global sales. It all makes sense now, eh? Making the announcement during April\u2019s Beijing Auto Show, Volvo Cars president H\u00e5kan Samuelsson said: \u201cLast year, we made a commitment to electrification in preparation for an era beyond the internal combustion engine.\u201cToday, we reinforce and expand that commitment in the world\u2019s leading market for electrified cars. China\u2019s electric future is Volvo Cars\u2019 electric future.\u201d Too right – any brand would be devastated to lose its biggest market and Volvo is clearly wasting no time in making sure it retains such a valuable territory.On Volvo\u2019s Beijing Auto Show stand this year, you would only find plug-in hybrids – a gesture intended to visually reinforce the company\u2019s position as a leading name in vehicle electrification. Volvo even builds its hybrids in China, with production of the XC60, S90 and S90L T8 Twin Engine models being handled at its Luqiao, Chengdu and Daqing plants.Would you buy an electric Volvo? Is this another nail in the diesel coffin? Let us know down in the comments. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why China is central to Volvo\u2019s electric ambitions","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-china-is-central-to-volvo\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]