Volvo takes select PHEVs off the UK market
Volvo has taken several plug-in hybrid variants of some of its most popular models off the market in the UK as part of a major cull. The Swedish brand announced that it will affect PHEV variants of its XC40 SUV, as well as the S90 saloon and Cross Country-badged estates in the UK.
This means that British customers will no longer be able to order the V90 Cross Country, V60 Cross Country, plug-in hybrid versions of the XC40 Recharge and the S90. The T4 and T5 plug-in hybrids will no longer be available, however, the combustion versions of both the V90 and V60, as well as the standard and fully electric XC40, will not be pulled from the UK market, however.
Volvo says that the decision has been taken in order to focus on ‘full electrification’ as the outfit looks to “rapidly transform” its vehicle range. “We will naturally need to evolve and consolidate our line-up as we prioritise fully electric cars and make this technological transition,” said a spokesperson, adding: “As a result, and based on existing orders and available production for the UK market, plug-in hybrid versions of the XC40 Recharge, along with all V60 Cross Country, V90 Cross Country and S90 variants have been removed from the UK line-up.”
To reach its goal of having 50 per cent of its sales fully electric by 2025, Volvo will likely be making more of these announcements soon. Tesla had also struggled with the right-hand drive market, as it requires specialized production lines, and coupled with the expiry of the UK’s subsidy programme last year, this has spelled a difficult combination for manufacturers. Tesla had even gone so far as to introduce a new scrappage scheme to help balance things out, while Fiat introduced its own “grant” for the purchase of a Fiat 500e or 500e Convertible.
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