Volvo Cars says demand for new EX60 electric SUV exceeds expectation

[GOTHENBURG, Sweden] Volvo Cars expects to build up to 40,000 cars of its new flagship electric model this year, with demand exceeding initial expectations, its CEO told Reuters as the automaker kicked off production in Sweden on Wednesday (Apr 22).

Volvo, which in January first unveiled the new electric EX60 SUV, said it is considering adding an extra week of production capacity during the upcoming summer period to handle orders for the car.

“Interest has been above our planned order intake, higher than planned... so at least we know we have the customers... the challenge is now on delivering, not selling,” CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Reuters.

The new model is the first to be build on Volvo Cars’ new production platform, which has required extensive changes to its Torslanda factory in western Sweden.

“This is an all-new car introducing new technology... Now that has to be ramped up to a very high pace from zero,” Samuelsson said.

Order books in Europe have opened, and are expected to open in the United States during the spring, Volvo Cars said. REUTERS