Volvo mulling over bringing hybrid range to India

Volvo is reportedly planning to launch its entire hybrid range in India by the year 2021. This new brand strategy is likely a result of satisfying response that the automaker has received from its first hybrid offering in the country - the Volvo XC90 T8.

Media reports suggest that Volvo has received 50 bookings for the XC90 T8 hybrid SUV. Through this successful launch, the Swedish automaker seems to have concluded that hybrid cars in the luxury segment can be a big differentiator between Volvo cars and those from its rivals. Thus the company is now eager to enhance its hybrid portfolio gradually, while studying the market response and characteristics.

Volvo Auto India's Managing Director, Tom Von Bonsdorff has mentioned that all cars built on the company's new SPA and CMA platforms can be offered with a hybrid powertrain. The SPA platform can house a hybrid system where the front wheels are driven by the internal combustion engine, while the rear axle is connected to electric motors. The smaller CMA platform was revealed recently under the 40 Series concepts, and will make it into production in 2017. It has been designed for three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrids, and can even be developed as a full electric vehicle.

If the plans to introduce the hybrid range do come out to be true, the next major launch will be the S90 hybrid. Chances of Volvo introducing the V90 estate hybrid can’t be ruled out either.

Source: Autocar India