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Toyota joins hydrogen truck alliance push

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:21:14 -0400

For years, the conversation around clean transportation has leaned heavily toward batteries. Longer range, faster charging, more EVs on the road. That's been the story. So when Toyota Motor Corporation decided to team up with Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, it raised a fair question: Why double down on hydrogen now? The three companies plan to become equal partners in Cellcentric, a venture focused on fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty trucks and industrial vehicles. The goal is straightforward. Build better hydrogen systems, scale production, and make zero-emissions trucking more realistic. But under the surface, there's a bigger shift happening.

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TOYOTA IS USING AI TO DESIGN BETTER CARS FASTER

Hydrogen trucks vs battery trucks: two paths, not one

Most people think the future of clean vehicles is all battery-powered. That's partly true, especially for cars. Heavy-duty trucking is a different story. Battery-electric trucks work well for shorter routes. However, long-haul freight brings different challenges. Bigger batteries add weight. Charging takes time. Payload capacity can take a hit. Hydrogen offers a different tradeoff. Fuel-cell trucks can refuel faster and travel longer distances without carrying massive battery packs. That makes them appealing for long-distance shipping, where every minute off the road matters. That's exactly why this partnership exists. As Daimler Truck's leadership has emphasized, hydrogen is meant to complement battery-electric systems, not replace them.

Toyota has been quietly building toward this for decades

This move might feel sudden, but Toyota has been laying the groundwork since the early 1990s. The company launched the Toyota Mirai in 2014, one of the first mass-produced hydrogen cars. On paper, it looked like a glimpse into the future. In practice, it struggled to catch on. Sales have been limited, and the biggest issue has not been the car itself. It's the lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. In the U.S., you are mostly limited to California if you want to drive one regularly. Still, Toyota didn't walk away. Instead, it expanded into trucks. It tested hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles in Europe, partnered with manufacturers, and integrated fuel-cell systems into commercial platforms. That experience is now feeding directly into this new partnership.

Why teaming up makes sense right now

Building hydrogen technology is expensive. Building the infrastructure is even harder. That's where this alliance comes in. By combining strengths, each company fills a gap. Toyota brings decades of fuel-cell research and manufacturing experience. Daimler Truck contributes deep knowledge of commercial vehicles and logistics. Volvo Group adds global scale and operational reach. Together, they can share costs, accelerate development, and push for infrastructure growth at the same time. That last piece matters most. Hydrogen only works if there are enough places to refuel. Europe is investing heavily in that network, with plans to expand significantly by 2030. This partnership positions all three companies to benefit if that rollout gains traction.

The bigger picture for EVs and clean tech

This does not mean battery EVs are slowing down. Automakers are still investing heavily in electric cars, better batteries and faster charging networks. Toyota itself continues to expand its EV lineup and production capabilities. What this partnership shows is a shift in strategy. Instead of betting everything on one approach, companies are spreading their bets across multiple technologies. That increases flexibility and improves the chances of meeting long-term emissions goals. Hydrogen may not dominate passenger cars. In trucking, though, it has a real opportunity.

TOYOTA UNVEILS HYDROGEN-POWERED PICKUP AND SUV

What this means to you

Even if you never plan to drive a hydrogen vehicle, this still affects you. Freight powers almost everything you buy. From groceries to electronics, trucks move it across long distances every day. If hydrogen helps clean up long-haul trucking, it could reduce emissions in one of the hardest sectors to fix. It also signals something important about the future of transportation. There won't be a single solution that works everywhere. Different technologies will serve different needs depending on the job.

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Kurt's key takeaways

At first glance, this move feels like a detour from the EV momentum we've been seeing. Look closer, and it starts to make more sense. Heavy-duty transport has unique demands. Hydrogen happens to solve some of them more efficiently than batteries can today. Toyota joining forces with Daimler Truck and Volvo is less about changing direction and more about covering all bases. If infrastructure catches up, this could become one of the more important shifts in clean transportation.

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So here's the real question. If hydrogen ends up powering the trucks that deliver everything you rely on, does it matter what technology powers your own car? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Paul Newman's Corvette-powered Volvo wagon is a fast and famous family car for sale

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:22:44 -0400

Paul Newman was never typecast during his career, but he had a type when it came to cars.

The Hollywood legend and avid automobile racer owned a string of sedate-looking Volvo station wagons that he used as his daily drivers.

But they were just acting the part.

Newman owned a racing team and the crew modified the Volvos with high-performance engines as gifts, turning them into what's known as "sleepers" that combine speed with stealth.

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One of these, a 1988 Volvo 740 powered by a turbocharged V6 from a Buick Grand National muscle car, was auctioned in March for $80,740, which is $20,000 more than the starting price of a new Volvo wagon today.

The last one that was built is now up for auction, and also features an all-American motor.

The 1998 V90 "Volvette" has a 6.0-liter V8, like the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette's, with around 400 hp, more than twice that of the stock V90's straight-six.

It was also equipped with a GM four-speed automatic transmission to send power to the rear wheels and front suspension parts from a Porsche 911 to improve its handling.

A plaque affixed to the dashboard reads: To PLN. This Should Get You To The Grid On Time. From The Team.

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The vehicle was gifted to Newman in 2007, the year before he died at 83.

The car is now being offered for auction by RM Sotheby's as part of a collection of Newman's automotive artifacts, which includes the trophy he won for finishing first in class at the 1997 Daytona 24 Hours at the record age of 70.

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The pre-auction estimate for the car was just $20,000 to $25,000, but online bidding had already reached $40,000 at the time this story was published and is not scheduled to close until June 13.

Polestar's new electric car doesn't have a rear window

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:04:46 -0400

Polestar wants to show you the way forward.

The Volvo-owned automaker's latest electric vehicle has a unique feature.

That is to say, it is missing a feature.

The Polestar 4 midsize SUV features a coupe-like roof that does not have a rear window.

POLESTAR 2 FLIPS MOTORS, EXTENDS RANGE FOR 2024

Instead, there is a full glass sunroof that extends over the heads of the rear passengers.

Polestar said the design creates a "unique interior ambience" for those seated in the back.

The driver can still see what is behind the vehicle by using a digital rearview "mirror" that gets a video feed from a roof-mounted camera.

It can also be switched to a reflective surface, so the rear passengers can be seen.

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The Polestar 4 will be available with a 544 horsepower all-wheel-drive system, making it the brand's most powerful model to date.

A 272 horsepower rear-wheel-drive model with a 102 kWh battery pack will also be offered with an estimated driving range of 300 miles between charges.

The Polestar 4 will be built in China and prices expected to start around $60,000 when it goes sale in the U.S. late next year.

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Before then, the brand will launch the larger, $83,900 Polestar 3 SUV, which will initially be imported from China, but will be built in South Carolina starting in 2024.

Paul Newman's old 1988 Volvo wagon just sold for more than a new one costs

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 18:28:05 -0400

Someone just bought a fast family car with a famous former owner.

A 1988 Volvo 740 wagon originally owned by the late actor Paul Newman has been sold on the Bring A Trailer auction website for $80,740.

That's over $20,000 more than the list price of a new Volvo wagon today.

But Newman's wasn't a regular Volvo.

ACURA NSX SUPERCAR FOUND IN RIVER AFTER 16 YEARS SOLD FOR RESTORATION

He had the dark gray wagon modified with the turbocharged V-6 from a Buick Grand National muscle car.

It also has a Pontiac Firebird's five-speed manual transmission and suspension upgrades to improve its handling.

Newman was a performance car enthusiast and a professional racing driver with a class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

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The Rolex watch he was given for the victory was auctioned in 2017 for $17.8 million, making the Volvo look like a bargain.

He liked the low-key Swedish hot rod so much he replaced it with a 1996 Volvo 960 wagon that he had upgraded with a supercharged Ford V-8.

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That car was featured on an episode of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" with Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman, the latter of whom was friends with Newman and owned the car at the time.

Paul Newman's Buick muscle car-powered Volvo wagon up for auction

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:38:06 -0400

Attention, movie fans; you can now own Newman's own Volvo.

A 1988 Volvo 740 once-owned by legendary actor Paul Newman has been listed for sale on the Bring A Trailer auction website.

However, the dark gray wagon is far from your average grocery-getter.

Newman was an avid racing driver and his penchant for performance extended to his street cars.

AMELIA EARHART'S ONCE-LOST 1937 CORD ADDED TO NATIONAL HISTORIC VEHICLE REGISTER

The star of the Indianapolis 500-centered film "Winning" had the Volvo modified with some American muscle.

The car's original engine has been replaced with the turbocharged V6 from a Buick Grand National, which was one of the most powerful engines of the era with a then-impressive 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque.

Newman's car is likely more powerful than that, as it was tuned by HESCO Engineering of Birmingham, Alabama, with a performance computer chip for the engine, a custom exhaust and other updates.

A cover for the turbo was fabricated to replicate the one from the rare Grand National-based GNX, but with Volvo branding.

The outfit also installed a five-speed manual transmission from a Pontiac Firebird to send the power to the rear wheels, lowered the suspension and added an aerodynamic body kit.

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The car is loaded with amenities including leather upholstery, heated seats and a third row of jump seats and has an indicated 76,000 miles on the odometer.

It is not the only one like it Newman owned. A 1995 Volvo 960 he had built with a supercharged Ford V8, that was later owned by talk show host and IndyCar team owner David Letterman, was featured on an episode of Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."

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Bring A Trailer does not offer estimated values for the cars it puts up for auction, and this one is too unique to even offer a good guess at what it's worth, but the bidding is open until March 17 when the answer will be revealed.

Mack launches all-electric medium duty truck

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:47:31 -0500

Mack is ready to attack the electric truck segment.

The Volvo-owned automaker has announced its first all-electric medium duty model at The Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The Mack MD Electric is a 4x2 straight job that will be offered in five chassis lengths in Class 6 and Class 7 configurations.

It will be available with either two or three 240 kWh battery packs that will provide 150 miles or 230 miles of range, respectively.

FIRST TESLA SEMIS DELIVERED WITH NEW TECH AND SOME MYSTERY

Mack currently offers an all-electric garbage truck platform called the LR Electric.

"Mack established itself as an electrification leader with the heavy-duty Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle, and we're excited to add the MD Electric to our zero-tailpipe emissions lineup," said Martin Weissburg, global president of Mack Trucks. "This is another important step in our efforts to drive decarbonization and a more sustainable future, and we plan to continue investing in technologies that help improve the environment and society."

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The MD Electric's frame-mounted motor is rated at 260 hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque. The Class 6 models have a gross vehicle weight rating of 25,995 pounds, and the Class 7 is 33,000 pounds.

According to Mack, two batteries can be recharged in 100 minutes on an 80-kilowatt DC fast charger and three in 160 minutes. The times are seven hours and 11 hours on a 19.2-kilowatt 240-volt charger.

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Pricing hasn't been announced, but the trucks will qualify for the new $40,000 federal tax credit on heavy commercial vehicles and deliveries are scheduled to begin this fall.

Polestar 2 EV flips motors, extends range for 2024

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:51:42 -0500

It's what's on the inside that counts most, but a makeover never hurts. The Polestar 2 has been updated for 2024 with fresh styling and significantly updated powertrain technology.

The compact sedan has traded its faux, black grille for a new body-color SmartZone that houses the camera and radar for its electronic driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

The car also gets more powerful motors and the entry-level model has switched from front-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive.

Power is up from 231 hp to 299 hp for the two-wheel-drive car and the all-wheel-drive version jumps from 408 hp to 421 hp.

ELECTRIC CAR COMPANY REVEALS WHY PEOPLE REALLY BUY ELECTRIC CARS

The latter can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, but an optional performance package is available that increases the power to 455 hp and drops that time to 4.1 seconds.

"Changing from front- to rear-wheel drive in the single-motor variants, and re-calibrating the torque ratio in the dual-motor variant for an increased rear-wheel drive feel, elevates the Polestar 2 driving experience to a whole new level," Polestar's head of chassis development, Joakim Rydholm, said.

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Both models have also had their driving ranges extended thanks to more efficient motors and an increase in battery capacity from 78 kilowatt-hours to 82 kilowatt-hours. The two-wheel-drive version can now go 300 miles between charges, up from 270 miles, which is the all-wheel-drive model's new rating, an increase of 10 miles over the current car.

"Typically in the car industry, a facelift introduces superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intention of the car’s design theme. With the new model year
Polestar 2, we rather went below the surface and upgraded substantial tech and mechanical components of the electric drivetrain. This is the best Polestar 2 yet, and with the updated front design with the new SmartZone, the best looking one, too," Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said.

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Pricing hasn't been announced, but the 2023 cars start at $49,800. Since the Volvo-owned brand imports the vehicles from China they don't qualify for the latest federal electric car purchase incentives, but the $7,500 credit will be rolled into leasing prices.

That will change for the brand next year, however, when it begins production of the Polestar 3 SUV at Volvo's factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina.

American-made Volvo EX90 electric SUV revealed with DUI detecting tech

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:13:32 -0500

Volvo's biggest model is going electric.

The EX90 is a battery-powered compliment to the brand's popular XC90 SUV.

It features a three-row, seven-passenger seating arrangement like the XC90, but rides on an all-new platform.

The EX90 will be manufactured at Volvo's Ridgeville, South Carolina factory starting early next year.

AMERICAN CARS? YOU MAY NOT KNOW THESE VEHICLES ARE MADE IN USA

It offers a large 111 kilowatt-hour battery pack that Volvo says will provide approximately 300 miles per charge in a 408 horsepower all-wheel-drive model.

Refilling the pack from 10% to 80% will take a half hour at the fastest public charging stations.

Aside from not having a grill, the EX90 has a relatively conventional shape and styling, but the interior is thoroughly modern.

It is centered around a 14.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen display that is powered by Google and replaces virtually all the buttons and knobs typically found in an automobile, and the translucent wood trim is lit from behind at night.

Internal passenger monitoring cameras can detect driver drowsiness and even possible idleness and intoxication in conjunction with sensing erratic driving behavior, which could initiate alerts and safety features. There is also an interior radar that is sensitive enough to detect a sleeping baby or animal breathing, and alert the driver if they have been left behind.

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The EX90 is also equipped with 16 external ultrasonic sensors, eight cameras, five radars and a Luminar brand lidar mounted above the windshield that has a range of 250 meters in the dark to provide Level three semi-automated driving capabilities and advanced safety systems.

Volvo is now accepting pre-orders for the vehicle with an expected starting price less than $80,000 when deliveries begin in early 2024. Despite being its most expensive model today, the XC90 is one of Volvo's best-selling models with 28,023 delivered through October 2022.

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Volvo is aiming to become an all-electric brand by 2030 and will release at least one new EV each year through then.

American cars? You might not know these models are made in the USA

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 02:00:06 -0400

There's no telling where "American" cars come from these days.

Buick imports the Envision from China.

The Jeep Renegade is built in Italy.

And the Ford EcoSport took the long journey from India to showrooms before it was discontinued this year.

But there are also plenty of cars that are made in the USA that might not be so obvious.

Here are a few that are hiding in plain sight:

SUBARU OUTBACK

It may have an Australian name and come from a Japanese company, but the Subaru Outback is built right in the heartland in Lafayette, Indiana, alongside the Ascent, Legacy and Impreza.

The Outback is the brand's best-selling car so far in 2022.

ACURA NSX

The Acura NSX has the sleek lines and technology of an exotic machine, but the mid-engine hybrid sports car was designed in the USA and has been built at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio since 2016.

Production is slated to end later this year with a limited run of 600-horsepower NSX Type S cars that start at $171,495.

THE MOST POWERFUL AMERICAN CARS EVER

VOLVO S60

Swedish automaker Volvo is owned by China's Geely these days, but the S60 sedan is built its factory in Charleston, South Carolina.

It'll be joined there soon by the Polestar 3 three-row electric SUV from Volvo's all-electric sister brand.

NISSAN LEAF

Nissan's first electric car was launched a decade ago at its factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, and is still being built there in its second generation.

The Leaf is currently the cheapest electric car to buy in the U.S. at $20,925, but only after the $7,500 federal tax credit is deducted.

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MERCEDES-MAYBACH GLS 600

The $166,150 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is one of the most luxurious SUVs in the world, but the full-size flagship is very much made for the American market at the brand's factory in Vance, Alabama.

It's also the most expensive SUV built in the USA, just ahead of the Texas-made $149,990 Cadillac Escalade-V.

EVERY TESLA SOLD IN THE U.S.

Tesla has factories in China and Germany — but every one of the four models it sells in the U.S. are made either at its Fremont, California, or Austin, Texas, assembly plants.

That'll also be true when the Cybertruck pickup debuts next year and is exclusively manufactured in Texas.

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"Hardly anyone knows this," Elon Musk tweeted when the company dominated the Cars.com's Most American-Made list this year.

Gus Fring is selling his 'Breaking Bad' 1998 Volvo V70 wagon

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 13:13:49 -0400

It's a "Breaking Bad" car that probably won't break down.

A 1998 Volvo V70 used in the critically-acclaimed TV shows "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" is coming up for auction.

The dark blue over tan wagon was the preferred ride of Giancarlo Esposito's character Gustavo Fring in both series.

Fring was a drug dealer who hid behind the persona of a respectable restaurant owner.

The notoriously reliable Volvo is the polar opposite of a flashy car and provided the perfect way for Fring to stay under the radar.

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The V70 is equipped with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and tinted glass suited for cruising around Albuquerque in the summer.

THIS ODD GMC SUV IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST COLLECTOR CARS TODAY

Its paint is in good shape and doesn't look like its spent a quarter-century in the desert, but the interior and engine compartment are both showing their age.

The car was gifted to Esposito after "Better Call Saul" ended production, and he is now sending it across the block at the Mecum Auctions Harrisburg event on July 30.

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According to Classic.com, this generation V70 typically sells for around $14,000.

WSJ editorial mocks auto manufacturers getting 'double-crossed' by Biden admin: 'Hard not to get a chuckle'

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 13:44:31 -0500

The Wall Street Journal editorial board is poking fun at traditional automotive manufacturers for allowing themselves to be "double-crossed" by the Biden administration over new fuel-economy standards.

In a Wednesday editorial, the board mocked manufacturers for trusting that the federal government would be good partners to business and described how the work they did promoting Biden's electric vehicle (EV) agenda would amount to nothing following the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of new regulations without the expected subsidies for the companies.

DEROY MURDOCK: DEMS' ELECTRIC CAR DREAMS RUNNING LOW ON BATTERY

"Political theater can be more entertaining than what’s on TV. It’s hard not to get a chuckle watching auto makers get double-crossed by the Biden Administration after they worked so hard to promote its electric-vehicle agenda," the board wrote.

"In the latest comic turn, the Administration last week issued new fuel-economy standards that effectively mandate that electric cars make up 17% of auto sales in 2026, up from about 3% this year. That was the day after Sen. Joe Manchin rejected President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, which includes a cornucopia of EV subsidies," it added.

The board noted that the new rules were more aggressive than those under the Obama administration and were also stricter than the standards the EPA proposed over the summer, but were seen as achievable by the Biden administration partly because of manufacturers' public commitments to build electric vehicles in the future.

FORD CEO FARLEY SAYS THESE CUSTOMERS AREN'T READY FOR ELECTRIC CARS

The board also noted that in August, BMW, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo all expressed support for stricter rules on the condition of "more federal largesse."

"Bold action from our partners in the federal government is crucial to build consumer demand for electric vehicles," the statement from the auto-makers read, to which the board said, "The feds seem to have their own ideas of who runs this partnership."

The board wrote that Ford, GM and Stellantis all hailed new standards, but claimed that they needed a "full suite" of EV subsidies. It added that BMW, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo looked like "political naifs" after they formed an alliance with California in 2020 to abide by tougher fuel standards than those required by the Trump administration in hopes that it "would protect them from an even more onerous future mandate."

"EPA now says that ‘voluntary’ deal with California demonstrates the feasibility of its latest standards, and EPA cites the approving summer quotes from car makers in support of its more onerous new rules," the board wrote.

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The board noted that the new Biden rules were stricter than California's and limited the extra regulatory credits auto-makers could bank and roll-over for meeting the standards.

It also noted that EV manufacturers like Tesla made money on the credits by selling their surplus obtained by easily meeting the standards to traditional manufacturers who struggled to comply with rules.

"It’s understandable if auto executives and shareholders are upset by the double-cross, but this is what happens when business gets in bed with government as "partners." The politicians don’t respect you in the morning," the board wrote.

Sneak peek: American-made Polestar 3 electric SUV

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 07:50:10 -0500

Volvo-owned Polestar has offered an early look at its upcoming American-made Polestar 3 electric SUV.

Most details on the camouflage-wrapped vehicle are still under wraps, but Polestar said it would enter production at Volvo's Charleston, S.C., factory in 2022.

The premium model follows the Polestar 2 electric sedan and Polestar 1 hybrid coupe and will itself be followed by a smaller SUV called the Polestar 4 in 2023.

While the price, power and electric driving range have not been released, Polestar said that the Polestar 3 will be equipped with an automated highway driving system that uses a built-in lidar system to scan the road for obstacles and is being designed with American customers in mind.

The entry-level front-wheel-drive Polestar 2 has a starting price of $47,200 (before the $7,500 tax credit is deducted) and an EPA range of 265 miles per charge.

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With target global sales of 290,000 by 2025 in mind, Polestar will debut a range-topping Polestar 5 sedan to the lineup by that model year.

Tesla Model S-rivalling Polestar 5 revealed

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 11:09:19 -0500

Polestar has pulled the sheets off of its upcoming midsize sports sedan.

The Polestar 5 grand tourer will debut in 2024 as the production version of the Polestar Precept unveiled last year.

Technical details on the model have yet to be released, but the Precept featured technologies that included a lidar-assisted hands-free semi-automated driving system and 3D knit upholstery made from recycled plastic.

Volvo-owned Polestar launched in 2021 with the limited edition plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 coupe and the China-made Polestar 2 all-electric compact liftback, the latter of which remains on sale in all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions with driving ranges of 249 to 265 miles per charge.

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Next year it plans to introduce the South Carolina-built Polestar 3 SUV that will be followed by the Polestar 4 SUV, presumably before the Polestar 5 goes on sale.

$20 million Volvo for sale in New York -- here's why the price is so high

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 06:21:57 -0400

The prices of collectible Volvos have been on the rise in recent years, but it’s still pretty rare to see one sell in the six-figure range.

One owner is looking to skip over seven figures and go straight to eight, however, with a 1998 V70 listed at $20 million.

The blue wagon is pretty much a run-of-the-mill model that’d probably be worth closer under $10,000, if not for one unique feature. The car currently wears a vanity license plate from New York that reads: New York.

The owner, who prefers to remain anonymous, told ӣ��Ƶ Autos that he encouraged his father to apply for it as soon as the state made custom plates available back in the 1970s. It's been in the family ever since, passing from a Buick Rivera and to another Volvo before ending up on the V70.

Unlike Delaware, the U.K. and a few other places, New York doesn’t allow people to sell their license plates directly, so the $20 million price tag is technically for the car, but there is a legal process available to transfer them, according to the DMV.

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If someone decides to declare themselves the greatest New Yorker ever and pays the full price, it will be a world record amount for a set of plates, but not the first big-money sale.

Several have traded hands on the open markets for hundreds of thousands of dollars, while the UAE often auctions desirable numbers for charity, with the highest bid reaching $14 million in Abu Dhabi for the number 1 in 2008.

The Volvo owner does have some competition in the U.K., however, as custom car entrepreneur Afzal Kahn has his F1 plate listed for the equivalent of $27 million.

The 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge is a chop-top electric SUV

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:59:44 -0500

Volvo has committed to going all-electric by 2030 and will eventually sell all of its vehicles through an online portal.

The first model that fits both of those billings is the 2022 C40 Recharge coupe-style SUV that goes on sale late this year.

Essentially a chop-top version of the XC40 Recharge compact SUV that's currently on sale, the C40 Recharge features an elevated ride height and raked rear roofline.

The C40 Recharge shares its electric drivetrain with both the XC40 Recharge and the Polestar 2 from Volvo's recently-launched sister brand, which already follows the online sale model. It provides 402 hp with all-wheel-drive and an EPA-rated range of 208 miles per charge in the XC40 Recharge.

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The C40 Recharge will also feature the Android-based infotainment system used in the Polestar 2.

Pricing for the C40 Recharge hasn't been announced, but the XC40 Recharge starts at $55,085.

Although orders will take place online, Volvo plans to continue the use of traditional retail outlets to finalize the sale and handle delivery of vehicles to customers.

Test Drive: Can the 2021 Polestar 2 electric sedan outshine Tesla?

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 14:22:08 -0400

Rivian, Lucid, Nio, Nikola, Fisker. There’s no shortage of new electric car brands these days, huh?

Well, let’s go ahead and add one more, anyway. It’s called Polestar and it’s a little different than the rest because it’s a standalone subsidiary of Volvo, so comes to the table with some experience.

The name originally belonged to a Swedish outfit called Polestar Racing that built competition Volvos and modified the company’s sedate street cars into high performance machines. Volvo bought it in 2015 with the intention of turning it into its version of BMW’s M division or Mercedes’ AMG, but rebooted it as an electric carmaker. Its first model was the low-volume $155,000 Polestar 1 sport hybrid luxury coupe that was meant to draw attention to the brand, but now it’s getting down to business.

The Polestar 2 on sale now is an all-electric compact that competes with the Tesla Model 3. The company is working from the top down by launching with a high-end model equipped with a 408 horsepower all-wheel-drivetrain, 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a starting price of $61,200. Lower-priced versions will be added in the future, but it is eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit plus various state incentives.

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The four-door liftback sports a boxy, modern style that got a lot more interest on the street than I expected. To me, it looks like a sedan version of the Volvo XC40 that will soon be available with this same electric platform. But as I drove around in it there were more people pulling out cell phones and pulling up next to me to ask about it than any sedan I’ve ever driven.

You can place an order for a Polestar 2 via an app at a no-haggle price, but it’s sold through a traditional dealership affiliated with the brand. The company currently has two showrooms in California and one in New York City that have the minimalist feel of a Tesla store circa 2010, but will expand to more cities across the country in the coming months.

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You’ll soon be able to use your phone to open and start the Polestar 2, too, but it comes with a traditional remote key fob. What it doesn’t have is a start button. At least not one for your finger. It’s built into the seat. Just get in and the car is ready to go.

The Polestar 2 is very much a compact, especially the rear compartment, but the trunk is roomy and the hatchback adds practicality. It comes standard with a vegan interior that employs fabric and textured wood in a style that’s very different than Volvo’s. Leather upholstery is optional, but the car is otherwise fully-loaded with a full glass roof, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, Harmon-Kardon audio and the world’s first Android-based infotainment system.

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The system is operated via a large touchscreen display that works as well as a tablet and has Google Maps, the Google Play store, from where more apps can be downloaded, and the voice-activated Google Assistant that responds to natural language. Just say “play Bohemian Rhapsody on Spotify,” “lower the fan two speeds” or “turn on the air recirculation” and it does it. Some functions require deep dives into the menus when you use your fingers, but the overall operation is far better than most in-car systems.

It all gives the Polestar 2 a techy feel that’s further enhanced by a standard active safety suite with automatic emergency brakes, adaptive cruise control and Volvo’s Pilot Assist, which offers one of the best lane-centering systems available, but nowhere near the capability or upgradability of Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” feature--for better or worse.

Floor the accelerator and the Polestar 2 knocks your noggin into the headrest as it accelerates to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds without making a sound. Its twin electric motors provide 487 lb-ft of instant torque, which is more than you get in BMW M3.

Drive normally and the power comes and goes with perfection. It feels like a well-crafted and programmed machine, not a first effort. There aren’t any Eco/Normal/Sport drive modes, but you can set it to creep or not creep when you’re right foot’s off the pedal and adjust the regenerative braking effect, which uses the motors to slow the car, from none to medium to strong.

Polestar clearly wanted to impress its early adopters and it’s handling puts on a show. The suspension is firm, but not harsh, and the steering very responsive. There’s so little body roll that on a curvy road it can feel like you’re playing a videogame with the volume turned down. Electric power aside, the experience is very unlike recent Volvos I've driven, including the conventional XC40 and V60 Cross Country.

There’s an optional $5,000 performance package that comes with upgraded Öhlins shocks, Brembo brakes and 20-inch wheels, but I can’t see how it would be necessary unless you planned on going to a race track.

If you do, chose one that’s nearby and has a charging station. The Polestar 2’s EPA rated range is just 233 miles, which is the only disappointing thing about it. A Tesla Model 3 with similar performance can make 353 miles, and costs a few thousand less. If it’s a DC fast charging station, you can fill the battery to 80 percent in about 40 minutes, which is pretty much par for the course. On a home wall charger its 8 hours to full.

Unfortunately, Polestar has had its teething problems. The Polestar 2 has already been recalled twice due to an inverter issue that led to a loss of power in some cars.

And then there’s the price. Even after the federal tax credit, the Polestar 2 is nearly $7,000 more than a Model 3 Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive Long Range, which is quicker and can go 353 miles per charge.

Of course, if you wanted one of those, you’d probably already own it. For those looking for an electric alternative, the Polestar 2 isn’t a hole-in-one, but if you skip the long drive contests it may be a winner.

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These are the only station wagons still on sale in the USA

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 10:14:43 -0400

And then there were eight.

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake has been discontinued for 2021.

So have plenty of vehicles, but what makes this significant is that “Sportbrake” is a fancy way to say “station wagon,” and whatever you like to call it, this type of vehicle is quickly going extinct in the United States.

American brands don’t even make them anymore, ever since the Buick Regal TourX ended production for the U.S. this year, and many of the ones that are left are disguised as SUVs

For those of you who just can’t bear to drive an actual utility vehicle, here are the station wagon options that remain:

Audi A4/A6

Audi offers wagons in two size classes, which is enough to make it one of the leaders in the segment. The $45,645 A4 allroad and $66,945 A6 allroad are compact and midsized models with rugged styling and a raised ride heights that hint at adventure, while the RS6 Avant is a 591 hp super wagon with a 189 mph top speed and a starting price of $110,045.

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

It may stretch the definition of the name, but the Ferrari GTC4Lusso holds the distinctions of being the only 2-door and V12-powered wagon you can buy — if you can afford it's $263,750 starting price.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Not to be overshadowed by its German competitor, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon is available as either the “brawny” $68,595 All-Terrain or the sporty $112,745 AMG E 63 S, which takes on the RS6 Avant with a 603 hp V8.

MINI Clubman

The MINI Clubman is the smallest wagon on sale today, but with a base price of $30,750 it’s not the cheapest. Barn-style rear doors add to its quirkiness while the top of the line $40,350 John Cooper Works model comes with all-wheel-drive and a 301 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

Not to be outdone by Sportbrake on the cool wagon euphemism tier chart, Porsche calls its Panamera-based wagons Sport Turismos. Prices run from $99,350 to a whopping $193,050 for the Turbo S E-Hybrid, which is the world's most powerful wagon and combines a turbocharged V8 and plug-in electric power to provide 677 hp, a 192 mph top speed and 11 miles of all-electric driving.

Subaru Outback

The Outback plays the part of a compact SUV in the brand's lineup, but if you strip away the body cladding, roof racks and lifted suspension you’ll pretty much end up with the body of a Subaru Legacy wagon, which doesn’t actually exist. At $27,845, the Outback the both lowest-priced wagon and the only one still made in USA.

Volvo V60/V90

Volvo offers a wide array of midsize V60 and full-size V90 wagons from $42,590 to $68,940 that include conventional models, Cross Country versions dressed to get dirty and the V60 Recharge plug-in hybrid that’s designed to help clean the air.

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The electric Volvo XC40 Recharge is a familiar-looking car of the future

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:41:43 -0400

Volvo unveiled its first fully electric model on Wednesday as it aims to put 1 million electrified cars on the road by 2025.

The XC40 Recharge isn’t an entirely unique vehicle, but a battery-powered version of the recently introduced XC40 subcompact SUV. The all-wheel-drive utility features a 78 kilowatt-hour battery pack that provides an estimated 200 miles per charge, which is on par with the Audi e-tron’s 204 mile rating, but falls short of the Tesla Model X 75D 238-mile range.

Volvo says the 408 hp XC40 Recharge can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, making it quicker than an entry level Tesla Model 3 sedan. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but Volvo said it will reimburse owners for the equivalent of one free year of electricity, tracked and paid for through its connected app. The incentive applies to all of Volvo’s plug-in models, including hybrids, which will all be adopting the Recharge name.

Along with the zero-emissions drivetrain, the XC40 Recharge debuts Volvo’s new Google-based infotainment system, which is equipped with voice-controlled Google Assistant and Google Maps. Additional apps will be added and the XC40 can accommodate over-the-air updates for certain vehicular systems.

The XC40 Recharge goes on sale in the U.S. in 2020 and Volvo plans to follow it with an additional all-electric model each year.

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Volvo is putting a 112 mph speed limiter on all of its cars

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 15:46:20 -0500

Volvo Cars says it will limit the top speed of its new cars at 180 kilometers per hours (112 miles per hour) in all markets as of next year because "too many people get seriously injured or even killed because of excessive speeding."

CEO Hakan Samuelsson says Monday that "while a speed limitation is not a cure-all, it's worth doing if we can even save one life."

He adds there are two other major causes of traffic fatalities — intoxication and distraction.

IRV GORDON, WHO DROVE HIS 1966 VOLVO OVER 3 MILLION MILES, DEAD AT 78

The company cited figures from the U.S. government's highway safety agency showing that 25 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017 were caused by speeding.

Volvo Cars is based in Goteborg, Sweden, but is owned by China's Geely holding company.

Volvo opens the order books for electric Polestar 2 sports sedan

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 13:46:27 -0500

Polestar’s compass is pointed directly at Tesla.

Volvo's new electric performance car division has unveiled a battery-powered compact set to compete with the Tesla Model 3.

The Polestar 2 is a four-door liftback sedan with all-wheel-drive, 408 hp and an expected range of 275 miles per charge. It will be made in China on a platform shared with the popular Volvo XC40 SUV, but features a unique interior design that’s equipped with an Android-based infotainment display that includes Google Assistant functionality. You can also use your phone as a key, which will allow you to offer temporary access to others via an app.

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With a 0-60 mph time of under 5 seconds, performance is brisk, while all of Volvo's latest active safety systems are standard, including an automatic braking system that can identify pedestrians and large animals like moose.

The order books are open now for deliveries of the Polestar 2 starting in July 2020. The starting price is $63,000 ($55,500 after subtracting the $7,500 federal tax credit that it qualifies for), but a lower-priced entry-level model will follow. Sales, leasing and a subscription model -- which comes with insurance and maintenance -- will be offered exclusively through an online platform, though the final transactions will take place through independent dealers.

And if you were wondering what happened to the Polestar 1, it’s a limited edition hybrid performance car that the company is only making 200 of for the U.S. at $155,000 a pop and they’re already sold out.

Irv Gordon, who drove his 1966 Volvo over 3 million miles, dead at 78

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:15:17 -0500

Irv Gordon, a New York schoolteacher who became world famous for driving his 1966 Volvo P 1800 S over 3 million miles, died on Thursday at age 78.

The Long Islander was traveling in China at the time of his death.

Gordon has been a cult hero among Volvo fans for decades, having set the world record for most miles driven by a car’s original owner in 1998 when his red coupe broke the 1.69 million-mile mark, thanks to his 125-mile daily commute and frequent road trips.

The odometer hit 2 million in 2002, and then 3 million while he was driving through Alaska in 2013. Gordon took the car to all 49 of the continental United States and across Europe, but never made it to Hawaii.

Gordon religiously maintained the car and only had the engine rebuilt twice, the last time in 2011. It had over 3.4 million miles on it when he showed up at the Volvo Club of America annual meet in Vermont this past September, according to Hemmings.

(UPDATE: Gordon's representative said that the milage was 3,260,257 as of October.)

In his later years, Gordon regularly teamed up with Volvo for events and became a promotional partner of Castrol oil, which he said was the only brand he’d ever used.

Gordon once told the New York Post that he offered to sell the car back to Volvo for $1 per mile, but they didn't take him up on it.

Gordon is survived by two daughters and three granddaughters.

One of his daughters, Danielle, posted to Facebook from her home in Argentina that he’d messaged her the night before his death and said he was having the time of his life.

She added that she wasn’t very involved in his day to day life, however, and was asking his friends for help in finding a lawyer to deal with his legal affairs.

This story has been updated with additional details about Gordon's surviving family.

Volvo unveils its first American-made car at new South Carolina factory

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:39:00 -0400

Chinese-owned Volvo is now an American automaker.

The Swedish brand officially opened its first U.S. factory near Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday, where it will build the all-new 2019 S60.

Volvo joins BMW and Mercedes-Benz as the latest European premium brand to open up shop in the American southeast, in part to control costs on cars for local sale by avoiding import tariffs and currency fluctuations.

The S60 remains a compact sedan that competes against the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Prices are set to start at $36,795 when it goes on sale later this year. It will be offered in either front- or all-wheel-drive and powered by a range of four-cylinder engines that includes turbocharged, turbo and supercharged, and hybrid versions.

The S60 will also come with the latest version of Volvo’s City Safety, which can automatically brake for other vehicles, pedestrians and large animals in emergency situations. A lane-keeping Pilot Assist system that can also steer away from oncoming cars will also be available.

Volvo North America CEO Anders Gustafsson told ӣ��Ƶ that the plant will export cars to countries around the world, including Sweden. Volvo expects to have 4,000 people working at the facility by 2021, when it adds production of the XC90 SUV.

Nobody home? Amazon can now deliver packages to your car

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:05:00 -0400

Amazon can now deliver packages to your car.

The online retailer has announced partnerships with General Motors and Volvo that allows it to unlock the trunk of a vehicle to place a package inside.

The program is being rolled out in 37 cities across the United States and works with any 2015 or later model year GM car with an active OnStar account, or any Volvo model compatible with the automaker’s On Call connected app.

The service is included with an Amazon Prime account and only requires users to download the new Amazon Key app to activate it. Shipping options are the same as for home delivery, including same day and free two-day, and is handled by Amazon Logistics Delivery Service Providers.

The only restriction is that the vehicle has to be parked in a publically-accessible place. The vehicle is unlocked from a remote control center, not by the person making the delivery, then locked again after it is closed.

The service has been tested in Europe for the past three years, and a pilot program was launched in a few locations in the U.S. last fall. Eligible cities now include Atlanta, Nashville and Los Angeles. New York City is not currently on the list.

Amazon offers a similar service for in-home deliveries, but it requires the installation of a camera-equipped connected door lock.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country test drive

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 12:15:00 -0400

You gotta hand it to Volvo. Through thick and thin and a switch to Chinese ownership, it hasn’t left its wagon-loving fans in the lurch, even as other brands have come and gone from the segment to find comfort in the sales reports for their SUVs.

Its latest is the V90, and it’s Volvo’s largest and most luxurious wagon yet. Based on the sleek S90 sedan, the V90 can be filled with all of the premium trim and semi-autonomous gadgetry offered in the sedan. Really, the only difference between the two is their tail ends.

That is, unless you opt for the V90 Cross Country, the jacked-up and ruggedized V90 that will account for the vast majority of the wagon’s sales. Because it’s sort of an SUV. In fact, if you want the regular V90, you have to custom order it. Dealers are stocking their lots with a steady stream of V90 CCs.

They have all-wheel-drive, and you can get them with a 250 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or Volvo’s unique and remarkable 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder, which delivers 316 hp along with a 30 mpg highway fuel economy rating.

The starting price is $53,295, but expect to see many V90 CCs equipped with pricey options like the $4,500 luxury package with its buttery Nappa leather-upholstered massaging seats, and the $3,200 Bowers and Wilkins audio system, which sounds as ridiculously good as its price sounds ridiculous.

The V90 CC does come standard with Volvo’s Pilot Assist, a feature that uses a radar and a camera to self-steer the car in its lane on the highway without rear-ending the vehicle in front. It’s one of the best systems of its kind, and it works well even if the lines on the road aren’t freshly-painted.

Pilot Assist won’t let you take your hands off the wheel for more than about 15 seconds, but you get the impression that it could. The twistiest roads will eventually trip it up, but I didn’t need to make any inputs along a winding 50-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, except to change lanes and exit.

Pilot Assist isn’t meant for off-road, but the V90 CC very much is. With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, it rides about two inches higher off the ground than the street-smart version of the V90, which puts it well into crossover country and endows it with a pretty capable rough-road ride without ruining its comfort and handling on pavement.

VOLVO S90 W/PILOT ASSIST TEST DRIVE:

Tall sidewall all-season tires and a $1,200 self-leveling rear air suspension get the CC over big bumps and through deep divots without much pain. I wouldn’t suggest chasing Jeeps onto the rocks with it, but an off-road mode locks it in four-wheel-drive and engages hill descent control under 25 mph to help manage reasonably challenging terrain.

An available 360-degree camera is useful when navigating tight trails, but you’ll want to turn off all the parking sensors that go with it if you’re among the trees. They make a lot of beeps. (So many beeps.)

This won’t be an issue for most V90 CC owners, who will likely be using them more on snowy streets than fire roads. Either way, its snazzy, Scandinavian interior is so nice, you’ll want to do your best not to track in any mess. Especially if you opt for the white carpet. Do so at your own risk.

Since the V90 CC shuns the classic boxy Volvo wagon design, its trunk isn’t as voluminous as it could be, but the space back there is deep and features a power cargo cover to go along with its power tailgate — because if you can afford one of these cars, you’ve probably gotten soft.

In fact, if you have enough money for a V90 CC, you could buy the larger, even higher-riding three-row XC90 SUV and end up with change to spare. So why wouldn’t you?

Most cross-shoppers will. The XC90 is one of Volvo’s top sellers. But the V90 CC does have a few practical advantages, including a low roof for loading bikes and antiques, better fuel economy and more car-like handling. And above all, it’s a station wagon. Some Volvo customers wouldn’t drive anything else.

----------

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country

Base price: $53,295

As tested: $69,440

Type: 5-passenger, 4-door, all-wheel-drive wagon

Engine: 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder

Power: 316 hp, 295 lb-ft

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

MPG: 22 city/30 hwy

Volvo's electric car brand Polestar unveils first model

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:26:00 -0400

Volvo Cars' performance electric car brand, Polestar, unveiled a four-seat coupe in lightweight carbon fiber as its first model Tuesday, adding to competition in a market dominated until now by Tesla.

The hybrid Polestar 1 promises a range of 150 kilometers (95 miles) on a charge, with a gasoline-powered engine to supplement that if needed. It is due to be produced at a factory in western China and released in 2019.

Volvo, owned since 2010 by Chinese automaker Geely Holding, announced in July that it would make only electric and hybrid vehicles starting in 2019.

The Swedish brand, known for comfort and safety, launched Polestar to allow a different identity based on "really sporty performance cars," said its chief executive, Thomas Ingenlath.

"There will be a clear difference between the two brands that add to each other in a very good way," Ingenlath, a former Volvo senior vice president for design, said in a phone interview ahead of the model debut in Shanghai.

The company says it will follow up with an all-electric model in 2019 and an SUV in 2021.

All manufacturers are moving toward more hybrids, but industry analysts say a transition to full-electric vehicles is years away.

Volvo has announced plans to release three all-electric models under its own brand by 2021.

The next Polestar model, the mid-size Polestar 2, is intended to compete with Tesla's Model 3, the company says. Ingenlath declined to give a price, but the Tesla starts at $35,000.

Polestar will use an internet-based sales system with a monthly subscription fee, Ingenlath said. The company says that service will include the ability to rent other Volvo and Polestar models.

The market also faces competition from General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Bolt and BMW AG's electric brand, BMW i, which has released four electric models. Volkswagen AG's Audi unit plans an electric SUV next year.

Sales of fully electric and hybrid vehicles have risen but last year's total was only 2.6 million, or about 3 percent of the global market. Navigant, a research firm, forecasts that will rise to about 3.7 million in 2018 and to more than 9 million by 2025, or about 9 percent of sales.

Polestar expects China, where the government is promoting electric car development, to account for about one-third of global sales, according to Ingenlath.

China is the world's biggest market for electrics and hybrids. It accounted for 40 percent of last year's global demand with sales of 336,000 units — more than double U.S. sales of 159,620.

Geely also launched another new brand, Lynk & Co., in 2016.

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