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Volvo Car South Africa introduces range of electrified cars

vuyi on March 14, 2022

By H&H Admin

Volvo Car South Africa has announced that its local range of vehicles is now almost entirely electrified.

Volvo Car South Africa has announced that its local range of vehicles is now almost entirely electrified as the Swedish luxury firm moves a step closer to its global ambition of transforming into a fully electric car company by 2030.

The updated South African line-up now comprises predominantly all-electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid options.

Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, said the move is in line with the Gothenburg-based company’s global strategy and affords South African motorists the opportunity to experience the various benefits of the three stages of vehicle electrification.

“Our mild-hybrid vehicles boast reduced tailpipe emissions, improved fuel economy and stronger on-road performance, making them ideal stepping stones to our plug-in hybrids – which add the major advantage of a pure-electric driving mode – and ultimately our all-electric offering. In short, our completely renewed line-up covers all of the electrification bases,” said Maruszewski.

According to Maruszewski, Volvo Car South Africa’s decision to shift its primary focus to hybrid vehicles is based on the belief that this type of powertrain currently represents the ideal solution for the majority of the company’s local customers.

With the S90 and V90 Cross Country line-ups now also featuring exclusively mild-hybrid powertrains, the only purely petrol-powered options that remain in Volvo’s local range are the T-badged derivatives in the popular XC40 line-up.

Maruszewski further pointed to not only the world-class safety technology intrinsic to Volvo’s vehicles but also the class-leading connectivity available in various models, including the company’s latest Android-powered infotainment system, which ships complete with built-in Google apps and services.

In global terms, Volvo’s electrified line-up continues its rapid growth, with Recharge models making up 34 percent of the company’s global sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2021 and plug-in hybrids accounting for 28 percent.

Volvo’s most powerful XC90 is here…and it’s a hybrid!

vuyi on March 9, 2022

By H&H Admin

Volvo’s flagship hybrid SUV, the sophisticated Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid is now available with increased electric range and enhanced performance.

Increased electric range and enhanced performance. Luxury, safety, style and smart integration. Meet the latest version of Volvo’s flagship hybrid SUV, the sophisticated Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid.

The new arrival follows hot on the heels of two other electric vehicles introduced locally by Volvo Car South Africa this year; the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge all-electric and the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid.

Aiming to be a fully electric car brand by 2030, Volvo continues to electrify its range of vehicles and the arrival of this car in South Africa demonstrates this same commitment locally.

Local interest in electric vehicles continues to grow and a hybrid is an enticing stepping stone to electrified vehicles for the many South Africans who are considering switching to a more eco-friendly and fuel efficient car.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid now delivers 107kW of power. Combined with 233kW from the two-litre turbocharged engine, the 340kW power output and the 709Nm of torque from the two powertrains, make this car with its smooth changing 8-speed Geartronic gearbox, the most powerful XC90 ever.

The new e-motor also improves all-wheel drive capability, upping power in the rear wheels by 65%, enhancing performance and driveability.

Electric range too has been boosted. Courtesy of a new long-range battery featuring a third layer of cells, nominal energy has increased from 11.6kWh to 18.8kWh, now making the electric range up to 77km.

“The average premium car owner travels less than 50km daily, so most local Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid drivers will be able to do their daily motoring on pure electric power,” says Volvo Car South Africa Managing Director, Greg Maruszewski.

The fuel efficiency and perkier acceleration that comes with hybrid technology are added benefits for drivers of larger sized vehicles like the XC90. The premium seven-seater family SUV boasts a 0-100km sprint time of 5.3 seconds, fuel consumption of 7.2 litres/100km and reduced emissions of 164g/km.

The model is offered in Inscription and R-Design trim levels. Pricing for the Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid starts at R1,560,600.

It carries a 5-year/100 000km Warranty and Maintenance Plan and 5-year Roadside Assistance and an 8-year/160 000km warranty on the lithium-ion battery.

Spotted! Volvo’s all-electric XC40 P8 Recharge on South African roads

vuyi on January 26, 2022

The highly anticipated Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge, which sits at the helm of the XC40 range has landed in South Africa.

The highly anticipated Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge has been spotted on South African roads, marking the local arrival of the Swedish firm’s first all-electric vehicle (EV).

A mere four days after Volvo opened the order books for the battery-powered XC40 in May 2021, all initial slots were sold out. Now the first example has been handed over to its excited owner at the Tom Campher Volvo Cars dealership in Johannesburg.

In order to meet growing local demand, Volvo Car South Africa has secured an additional allocation of units, with orders now being taken and deliveries expected in June 2022. The XC40 P8 Recharge, which sits at the summit of the popular XC40 range is priced at R1.2 million and is sold exclusively online via the automaker’s innovative My Volvo website.

Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, says the purchase of the brand’s first pure electric model comes with all manner of additional benefits.

“The XC40 P8 Recharge ships standard with the Volvo CARE package, which includes not only a five-year maintenance plan and warranty – with the battery pack covered for eight years or 160 000 km – but also three years of comprehensive insurance, use of a petrol-powered vehicle for a two week holiday every year for three years, a home charging wallbox, and all the requisite charge cables,” explains Maruszewski.

As a reminder, Volvo says the electric compact SUV – which forms part of the broader Recharge range which made up 27 per cent of the company’s total sales volume in 2021– is able to travel up to 418 km on a single charge, with 80% of its battery capacity replenished in just 40 minutes when using a fast charger.

Fitted with twin electric motors and a 78 kWh battery pack, the XC40 P8 Recharge boasts lofty peak outputs of 304 kW and 660 Nm. With power directed to all four wheels, the XC40 P8 Recharge is capable of seeing off the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in a mere 4.9 seconds.In true Volvo form, the automaker’s first EV is crammed full of standard safety equipment, including various driver assistance features, and shares its five-star Euro NCAP rating with its combustion-engined siblings

Volvo Cars recognised for its leadership in climate action

vuyi on December 13, 2021

Volvo Cars has been recognised for its sustainability strategy by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing an A-score for its actions aimed at cutting emissions, mitigating climate risks and becoming a climate-neutral company.

This places Volvo Cars in the highest tier of CDP’s climate change list, together with only a smaller number of companies. More than 13,000 companies participated by disclosing data on their environmental impacts, risks and opportunities, and Volvo Cars’ high score reflects its position as a leader in environmental ambition and climate action.

Volvo Cars Torslanda becomes company’s first climate neutral car plant

“We are very proud to see that our hard work to cut emissions and becoming climate neutral is being recognised by CDP,” says Anders Kärrberg, Head of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars. “Receiving the prestigious A-score shows that we are on the right track, and hopefully we can inspire other companies to do even more.”

Volvo Cars aims to become a fully electric car maker by 2030 and plans to roll out a whole new family of pure electric cars in coming years, one of the auto industry’s most ambitious electrification plans. This is part of its ambition to become a climate neutral company by 2040, as it works to consistently cut carbon emissions across its business.

The company seeks to reduce the lifecycle carbon footprint per average car by 40 per cent between 2018 and 2025, including through reducing carbon emissions in its supply chain by 25 per cent by 2025.

Volvo Cars is taking active steps to address these emissions, including through planned collaborations with Swedish steel maker SSAB to develop fossil free steel and with Swedish battery company Northvolt to develop and manufacture the next generation of sustainable battery cells.

In conjunction with signing the zero emission road transport declaration at the UN climate change conference COP26 in November, Volvo Cars also introduced an internal carbon price of 1,000 SEK for every tonne of carbon emissions from across its entire business, becoming the first car maker to implement such a carbon pricing mechanism across its complete operations.

WATCH: This is how autonomous cars will talk to each other

vuyi on October 15, 2021

For more than a century, internal combustion engines have provided the soundtrack to cities.

Walking through a city centre, the noise is constantly there. It’s a part of life in the city – and in the suburbs too. Those sounds – while annoying to some – are vital for safety. There are other aspects of driving today that bolster safety too – thanks to a language of human-to-human communication.

Take, for instance, the eye contact between road users that establishes the fact that “yes, I see you” or that friendly “go ahead” wave. But what if a car no longer makes a noise and it has no driver? What then? Autonomous cars will still have to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists – we just have to create a new, universal language for them.

Here Mikael Ljung Aust, senior technical leader for collision avoidance functions at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, points out some of the challenges and the solutions.

Volvo Cars is first car maker to explore fossil-free steel

vuyi on June 17, 2021

Volvo Cars may soon have bragging rights as the first car to feature steel components made via a fossil-free production process.

Volvo Cars is teaming up with Swedish steelmaker SSAB to jointly explore the development of fossil-free, high-quality steel for use in the automotive industry.

The collaboration makes Volvo Cars the first car maker to work with SSAB on its HYBRIT initiative, the steel industry’s most ambitious and advanced projects in fossil-free steel development.

HYBRIT was started by SSAB, iron ore producer LKAB and energy firm Vattenfall. It aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result is expected to be the world’s first fossil-free steelmaking technology, with virtually no carbon footprint.

As part of the collaboration, Volvo Cars will be the first car maker to secure SSAB steel made from hydrogen-reduced iron from HYBRIT’s pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden. This steel will be used for testing purposes and may be used in a concept car.

In 2026, SSAB aims to supply the market with fossil-free steel at a commercial scale. Volvo Cars aims to also be the first car maker to use fossil-free steel for its own production cars.

As we continuously reduce our total carbon footprint, we know that steel is a major area for further progress.
– Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive at Volvo Cars.

“As we continuously reduce our total carbon footprint, we know that steel is a major area for further progress,” said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive at Volvo Cars. “The collaboration with SSAB on fossil-free steel development could give significant emission reductions in our supply chain.”

In the city of Luleå in the North of Sweden, the construction of the HYBRIT pilot plant is on schedule. The plant is being built by the HYBRIT partners: SSAB, LKAB — whose exceptionally pure iron ore deposits are nearby — and Vattenfall, who is committed to offering fossil-free energy in one generation.
*Image: SSAB* South Africa

“We are building an entirely fossil-free value chain all the way to the end customer,” Martin Lindqvist, President, and CEO at SSAB said. “Our breakthrough technology has virtually no carbon footprint and will help strengthen our customer´s competitiveness. Together with Volvo Cars, we aim to develop fossil-free steel products for the cars of the future.”

Volvo Cars manufacturing plant in Daqing, China

The global steel industry accounts for around 7 percent of global direct carbon emissions because the industry is currently dominated by an iron ore-based steel-making technology, using blast furnaces depending on coking coal.

For Volvo Cars, the CO2 emissions related to steel and iron production for its cars amount to around 35 percent in a traditionally powered car and 20 percent in a fully electric car of the total CO2 emissions from the material and production of the components going into the car.

Pre-production of the new Volvo S90 in the Daqing manufacturing plant

The collaboration with SSAB is the latest initiative that supports Volvo Cars’ overall climate action plan, one of the most ambitious in the car industry. The centrepiece of the plan is Volvo Cars’ ambition to be a fully electric car brand by 2030, with only pure electric cars in its line-up.

Yet the plan goes beyond addressing tailpipe emissions through all-out electrification and also seeks to tackle carbon emissions in the company’s wider operations, its supply chain, and through recycling and reuse of materials.

In the short term, these and other steps aim to reduce the life cycle carbon footprint per car by 40 percent between 2018 and 2025. By 2040, Volvo Cars’ ambition is to be a climate-neutral company.

Volvo Car South Africa Launches Online Store

vuyi on May 11, 2021

My Volvo allows you to buy a car – at the click of your mouse

Volvo Car South Africa has launched My Volvo, a unique online store that will enable South Africans to purchase or rent a new car in as little as 20 minutes – and without leaving home.

The store – the first for Volvo in the Sub-Saharan Africa region – is available exclusively to South Africans. However, this is not the first time that Volvo has dipped its toe in the online shopping arena. Volvo Cars global launched its first online sales store in 2020 as a result of lockdown restrictions the world over.

My Volvo offers a smooth, convenient and secure end-to-end vehicle purchase process. Designed to be flexible, secure and intuitive to use (there are five easy steps to follow), it provides a complete end-to-end service, from vehicle selection right through to the final purchase agreement.

South Africans can start the process by browsing My Volvo and seeing all new Volvo vehicles that are currently available. Customers can then select the model they want from the Volvo range, selecting a model with the powertrain and colour that they require. Optional extras are also detailed.

It makes buying a car as easy as possible without compromising on choice or safety
– Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa

Every type of buyer is catered for, whether they want to rent, finance or pay cash. Customers can choose to have the vehicle delivered or they can collect their new car. All vehicles purchased through My Volvo come with the standard five-year / 100 000km maintenance and warranty plan.

In 2020, Volvo Cars more than doubled its number of cars sold online versus 2019
– GREG MARUSZEWSKI, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT VOLVO CAR SOUTH AFRICA

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, My Volvo is indicative of the fact that the way people buy cars has changed. “We have accelerated the company’s move towards online sales. In 2020, Volvo Cars more than doubled its number of cars sold online versus 2019,” he reveals.

Going forward, the emphasis on online will grow. “Volvo’s first pure electric car, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8, will be coming to South Africa this year. It is one of a new family of electric cars to be launched in the coming years – all of which will be available online,” Maruszewski says.

He is expecting wide customer acceptance of My Volvo.

“It makes buying a car as easy as possible without compromising on choice or safety, and it allows customers to make the purchase when it’s most convenient for them.

It places our customers firmly in the driving seat when it comes to the purchasing process – and we have no doubt that they will like this,” Maruszewski concludes.

Volvo Announces Pricing and Exclusive Online Sales for XC40 P8 Recharge All-Electric

vuyi on May 10, 2021

All-electric vehicles sold in South Africa have traditionally come with hefty price tags – and this has undoubtedly been a deterrent
– Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa

Volvo Car South Africa has announced the pricing for one of the most eagerly awaited cars to be launched in South Africa this year, namely the XC40 P8 Recharge all-electric. Orders for the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge opened on Monday 10 May with deliveries commencing in August this year. Pricing for the car will start at R1,2 million (incl. VAT).

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, the company has worked hard to offer this luxury all-electric vehicle at a competitive price.

“All-electric vehicles sold in South Africa have traditionally come with hefty price tags – and this has undoubtedly been a deterrent. We know that there is an appetite in South Africa for electric cars and we were determined to give customers an attractive price,” he says.

In addition to the announcement of the competitive price tag, the company also announced that the car will be sold exclusively online via the company’s new website, My Volvo.

This unique online store enables South Africans to purchase or rent a new car in as little as 20 minutes – and without leaving their home. Customers only need to follow five easy steps to select the car and arrange both finance and delivery (or collection).

The Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge all-electric is clearly a sign of things to come
– GREG MARUSZEWSKI, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT VOLVO CAR SOUTH AFRICA

Included in the pricing of the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge is the Volvo CARE package. This includes a five-year maintenance plan and warranty, three years of insurance, use of a petrol car for two weeks per year for three years and a home charger that includes charge cables.

“The Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge all-electric is clearly a sign of things to come; last month the company announced that it would only manufacture electric cars by 2030, with all sales to be online. So, our future is clear, and it will be fully electric, sustainable, and online,” concludes Maruszewski.

Meet the Volvo XC60 T4, one of South Africa’s most successful premium compact sport utility vehicle

vuyi on April 30, 2021

The arrival of the Volvo XC40 T4 is set to further cement the success of the range in this country.
– GREG MARUSZEWSKI, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT VOLVO CAR SOUTH AFRICA

Volvo Car South Africa has introduced an additional derivative to its XC40 range, namely the Volvo XC40 T4. This is the first time the derivative – which has already proved popular overseas – will be sold locally.

The pièce de résistance of the new derivative is its 2.0-litre in-line turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers maximum power of 140 kW at 5000 r/min and maximum torque of 300 Nm. It is matched to Volvo’s eight-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox.

The performance is brisk, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds. Available in three specification levels – Momentum, Inscription and R-Design – pricing for the Volvo XC40 T4 starts at R654 580. The T4 slots in between two other petrol-engined XC40 models, namely the T3 (which boasts a 110 kW engine) and the T5 (with its 185 kW powerplant).

Like the other models in the range, the Volvo XC40 T4 combines bold design with cutting-edge connectivity, clever interior storage and Volvo’s industry-leading safety technology. This includes Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support and a 360° camera that helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces.

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, the arrival of the Volvo XC40 T4 is set to further cement the success of the range in this country. “The XC40 had a good 2020; it had an 8.40% share of its segment in 2019; that grew to 14.70% last year. In 2021, the XC40 nameplate performance is continuing to grow its sales locally,” he reveals.

The T4 is but one of two new XC40 models that will be launched in South Africa this year. Volvo Car South Africa will also launch the XC40 P8 All Electric. Orders start for this vehicle in May with deliveries to commence in August.

Check out more pics of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

vuyi on March 12, 2021

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric – the first all-electric car from the Swedish luxury brand – will be launched in South Africa in the second half of 2021

The XC40 Recharge will deliver a brisk performance, with its twin electric motors producing 304 kW (408 hp) of power and 660 Nm of torque to deliver a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.9 seconds

Volvo dealers will start taking orders for the XC40 Recharge in April. Deliveries will commence in August.

The price of the XC40 Recharge will be confirmed later this month.

Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is coming to South Africa!

vuyi on March 12, 2021

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric – the first all-electric car from the Swedish luxury brand – will be launched in South Africa in the second half of 2021.

Volvo’s all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) has already demonstrated strong sales internationally. Thousands of orders were placed for the XC40 Recharge even before the formal start of sales in Europe last year. By the start of production in the company’s Ghent, Belgium, plant on October 1 last year, every car scheduled to be built that calendar year had already been sold.

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is capable of travelling more than 400 km on a single charge. “It can be charged to 80% of its battery capacity in as little as 40 minutes using a fast charger,” he reveals.

The XC40 Recharge will deliver a brisk performance, with its twin electric motors producing 304 kW (408 hp) of power and 660 Nm of torque to deliver a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.9 seconds. While pleasing in the area of performance, the car scores highly in the field of practicality too.

Volvo Cars will launch a fully electric car every year, as we look to make all-electric cars 50 percent of global sales by 2025, with the rest hybrids.
– Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa

For instance, the lack of an internal combustion engine frees up space for an additional 30-litre storage compartment – or ‘frunk’ – under the front bonnet, while the placement of the batteries under the centre of the car means space is not compromised elsewhere.

Owners will be able to charge the vehicle at a dealership, at home or at one of the ever-growing network of public charging stations. Volvo Car South Africa is also rolling out an extensive network of charging stations at its dealerships and, by the end of 2021, each Volvo dealership will have a charging station.

The XC40 is the first of five fully electric cars to be launched by the Swedish company over the next five years. “Volvo Cars will launch a fully electric car every year, as we look to make all-electric cars 50 percent of global sales by 2025, with the rest hybrids. Recharge will be the overarching name for all chargeable Volvos with a fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain,” Maruszewski explains.

We look forward to bringing the huge benefits of electric driving – and more – to an already award-winning package.
– – GREG MARUSZEWSKI, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT VOLVO CAR SOUTH AFRICA

The launch of the XC40 Recharge is a significant step towards Volvo Cars’ ambition to reduce its CO₂footprint per car by 40 percent by 2025. “That same year, it expects 50 percent of its global sales to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids. But 2030, the company aims to only build electric cars,” he elaborates.

Maruszewski believes that the XC40 Recharge will find favour in South Africa. “South Africans are already firm fans of the internal combustion engine-powered XC40; it had an 8.40% share of its segment in 2019; that grew to 14.70% in 2020.

We look forward to bringing the huge benefits of electric driving – and more – to an already award-winning package,” he concludes.

Volvo dealers will start taking orders for the XC40 Recharge in April. Deliveries will commence in August.

The price of the XC40 Recharge will be confirmed later this month.

Charmagne Mavudzi Takes Key Role at Volvo Car SA

vuyi on July 14, 2020

Multiple award-winning marketer Charmagne Mavudzi has been appointed as Volvo Car South Africa’s new Director of Customer Experience. Mavudzi moves into the role after joining the company as Head of Marketing and Communications in 2018. Her appointment is part of a global reshuffle within the Swedish auto giant.

Known for building strong brands that leverage innovation, Mavudzi is a leader in Africa’s digital marketing landscape. An alumni of the Gordon Business Institute, she began her career as a successful tech entrepreneur before moving to prominent roles at Child Trace Initiative and their tech driver TR8 technologies. Thereafter stints at Handel Marketing and Accenture followed, before she joined Ogilvy & Mather as Head of Marketing and Communications, playing a key role in their own global reshuffling process of 2017.

In her new role at Volvo, Mavudzi takes the reins of the new and centralised customer focused portfolio, allowing her direct influence over every user experience touchpoint, as customers move through the company’s various departments from first acquisition to return buying.

“People centricity is at the core of the Volvo brand,” says Mavudzi. “For us this means a shift toward a 360 degree commitment to our customers. It’s satisfaction at every point of interaction that fosters retention and loyalty, and turns our customers into brand ambassadors too.”

Concurrently, she takes a chief position in the company’s recently established Transformation Through Change management portfolio, as the company embarks on a global restructuring toward a more customer-centric approach.

“Our goal is to create a global company that is more adaptable to our customers on an individual basis,” she says. “ It’s a data-driven, customer focused process with decentralisation and entrepreneurship at its core.”

Recognised as a Woman Of Excellence in 2019, Mavudzi stands out as an inspirational role-model to those coming after her, and is excited to take on her new dual challenge at Volvo.

Volvo plans to complete its restructuring process by 2020’s end.