Volvo Car Korea will introduce the next-generation electric flagships EX90 and ES90 to the domestic market this year.
Volvo Car Korea (CEO Lee Yun-mo) announced this New Year plan on the 15th, saying, "With the introduction of next-generation pure electric flagship models, we will usher in the era of the 'smartphone on wheels.'"
Volvo Car Korea sold a total of 14,903 cars last year despite a challenging business environment that included reduced consumer sentiment due to high interest rates·high inflation, high exchange rates and global supply chain risks. It ranks fourth in the imported car market.
By model, the XC60 sold 5,952 units, continuing its status as the global best-selling model, followed by the XC40 (2,849 units), S90 (1,859 units), XC90 (1,820 units), and EX30 (1,228 units).
In particular, the XC40, which features the new user experience Volvo Car UX and the Naver Whale browser, and added a dark theme to the existing bright theme to strengthen personalization, saw sales grow 14% year over year and achieved first place in annual sales in its segment among premium imported car brands for the first time since its domestic launch.
The flagship SUV XC90, which significantly enhanced overall product appeal with exterior and interior design improvements, air suspension, and an infotainment system, also achieved a meaningful result with sales growing about 13% year over year.
By powertrain, thanks to the additional introduction of the brand's first compact pure electric SUV EX30 and EX30 CC, electric vehicle sales increased 339% year over year to 1,427 units, further accelerating the shift to electrification.
Lee Yun-mo, CEO of Volvo Car Korea, said, "The reason we were able to continue stable performance despite an unstable business environment is that customers empathized with Volvo's philosophy toward safety and our continuous efforts for the Korean market," adding, "Going forward, we will continue to innovate across the entire ownership process as well as expand our lineup so customers can experience the value of Swedish luxury more deeply through differentiated customer experiences."
To this end, Volvo Car Korea plans to launch the next-generation pure electric flagship lineup EX90 and ES90 in the first half and second half of 2026, respectively.
The two models symbolize the shift to software-defined vehicles (Software-Defined Vehicle, SDV) and are designed on the basis of a unique core computing architecture and an integrated software system so that performance, safety technologies and connectivity can be continuously updated across the vehicle experience. In particular, through collaboration with global IT leaders such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm Technologies, and Google, they complete a new automotive experience called the 'smartphone on wheels' that learns new data and supports over-the-air updates (OTA).
Based on Scandinavian design philosophy, they propose a new standard for premium through intuitive user experiences and spatial design that simplify life's complexities. Volvo Car Korea will build a solid portfolio that encompasses electric vehicles and hybrids by introducing the new platform-based pure electric flagships EX90 and ES90 along with the existing hybrid lineup including XC90·S90, and plans to strengthen market targeting centered on family car demand.
Investment to further elevate existing customers' brand experience will continue. First, support for Naver's in-vehicle browser Whale, which has been praised for raising the level of imported car infotainment, will be expanded free of charge in the first quarter to cover 2022–2025 model year vehicles (for vehicles equipped with the digital package). Through an open ecosystem that supports web standards, major Naver services as well as OTTs such as YouTube·Coupang Play, music, and social networking services can be enjoyed in the vehicle.
In addition, Volvo Car Korea plans to further advance the global Wi-Fi infrastructure, which has been built so that vehicle status checks are possible not only at service center work bays but also while waiting in parking lots, to create a future service environment that allows not only simple maintenance but also diagnostics, software downloads and updates. In addition, by activating pickup·delivery services and improving the service process from reservation to maintenance·updates·delivery, the company will make customers' service experience smoother.
In addition, by continuously expanding investment in the use of renewable energy within the network, Volvo Cars will practice the value of sustainability, and following Gimpo·Suwon·Gwangju·Busan·Gangseo, it plans to further expand customer touchpoints by opening Volvo Selekt, an official certified used car showroom, in Daejeon and Daegu.
CEO Lee Yun-mo said, "The reason Volvo Car Korea has been able to grow both in size and substance so far is thanks to customers who have continued to support the brand," adding, "We will continue to innovate across the entire ownership process and move forward as a brand that grows together with customers."
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