Volvo Car Malaysia, whose Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric became the first locally-assembled (CKD) battery electric vehicle (BEV) to be launched in Malaysia, is aiming to attain the No.1 position for luxury EVs here.

Speaking at today’s preview of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Managing Director Charles Frump says Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) is not only committed to the Volvo Car Group’s global target for carbon neutrality, which is to have 50 percent of its total sales contributed by battery vehicles (BEVs), but to exceed it.

Frump says for Malaysia, VCM to have 75 percent of its sales to come from BEVs, by year 2025.

The CKD XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is only the first step, which will be followed by the coupe-SUV bodystyle C40 later this year. After that, VCM will launch one new BEV model every year.

Also read: Launched in Malaysia: Volvo XC40 Recharge EV - First CKD EV, 408 PS/660 Nm, 418 km range

Exports to neighbouring markets in the ASEAN trade bloc, including left-hand drive models, are also in the plan.

VCM did not set a target of when it aims to attain the No.1 position, but Porsche currently leads Malaysia’s BEV sales, followed by MINI.

Porsche distributor Sime Darby Auto Performance didn’t divulge the total number of Porsche Taycans sold in 2021, but our sources say it’s over 170 units, which means that Porsche controls more than 60 percent of the local electric vehicle market (total 274 units, according to MAA).

Also read: MAA: Only 274 EVs were sold last year in Malaysia, less than 1,000 units registered so far

BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also announced / launched their respective electric models, but deliveries have yet to begin, although Mercedes-Benz Malaysia say deliveries of the EQA will start in the second half of April 2022.

Also read: Booked a Mercedes-Benz EQA? Your EV could arrive as early as April

VCM’s targets are quite bold, because Volvo ended 2021 with just slightly 2,400 units sold, and ranks very far down the pecking order versus other luxury marques, not to mention the fact that Volvo has yet to deliver a single battery EV model to a customer.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW also have a far wider portfolio of electric models than Volvo, offering at least one BEV model for every segment - plus a stronger dealer network and after-sales support.

Mercedes-Benz for example, is expected to follow up on the EQA with at least one more electric model later this year. BMW is already doing pre-orders for 3 models – iX, i4, and iX3.

Prices of the Volvo XC40 Pure Electric will only be announced on 4-April. Dealers however, are taking pre-orders.

VCM says the XC40 comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty while the high voltage battery is covered by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty.

The all-wheel drive electric SUV is powered by a 78 kWh battery, while two motors – one on each axle – makes a combined output of 408 PS / 660 Nm, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds (claimed), with a top speed of 180 km/h.

Drive it sedately, you can travel up to 418 km (WLTP test cycle). The CCS2 charging port supports 11 kW AC charging (0 to 100 percent in 8 hours) and 150 kW DC fast charging (0 to 80 percent in 40 minutes).

Globally, there's already a new 2022 facelift model but since our XC40 is locally-assembled, a longer lead time is required so the new facelift model won't be introduced in Malaysia until 2023.