The first production run of Volvo EX90 electric SUVs has already sold out in Europe, months before its showroom debut – and nearly 18 months from the first Australian arrivals.
The first allocation of 2024 Volvo EX90 electric SUVs has already been spoken for – and order books temporarily closed – in Europe, but the instant sell-out is not expected to affect Australia.
The Chinese-owned Swedish car maker has announced the EX90 – the electric successor to the XC90 – has surpassed “the company’s boldest and most ambitious internal projections”.
“As a result, Volvo Cars has closed the order book for the time being because the first scheduled production run is sold out, but it will re-open again soon,” Volvo said in a media statement.
It is unclear how many cars are in the first production run, how many orders have been accepted, and when orders are scheduled to resume.
However, UK publication Autocar reports the Volvo EX90 is planned to “initially enter production in very small numbers,” with the first European deliveries slated for early 2024.
The Volvo EX90 is not due in Australian showrooms until late 2024, about 18 months from now, and the company has not announced pricing, specifications or the local model range.
It is believed the order pause for Europe does not impact Australia – as local deliveries remain far away – with Volvo Australia already said to be holding 50 to 100 deposits, before any local customers have seen the vehicle in the metal.
Prices in the UK range from £96,255 to £100,555 before options – or $AU180,000 to $AU188,000 – with seven seats and dual-motor all-wheel drive as standard.
It is a hefty uplift from Volvo’s current flagship SUV, the XC90, which when optioned-up in top-of-the-range plug-in hybrid guise can hit about £85,000 ($AU160,000) in the UK, or more than $130,000 plus on-road costs in Australia.
Top-of-the-range Volvo EX90 models are powered by dual electric motors with 380kW/910Nm, and a 111kWh battery, good for up to 600km of claimed driving range.
While the EX90 will initially be sold alongside the XC90, Volvo Australia says it intends to go electric-only from 2026 – and end petrol car sales globally from 2030.
A facelifted XC90 is due in overseas markets in the coming years, but is not expected to reach Australia as the company transitions to electric power locally.
The EX90 will be Volvo’s flagship electric vehicle, and the first in a range of new EX-badged electric cars.
A city-sized EX30 SUV is due in Australia before the end of this year, ahead of what’s believed to be an ‘ES90’ sedan next year, in the same size class as a BMW 5 Series or Porsche Taycan.
