KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 ― Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd is committed to becoming Malaysia’s No.1 eLuxury car brand and targets to achieve 75 per cent sales from pure electric cars by 2025.

Managing director Charles Frump said by 2025, the company would reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 40 per cent per car.

“When we talk about tailpipe emissions, the biggest statement we made is that by 2030, we will be a fully electric car company. But the way things are developing, support and the customer sentiment that we have, we think we can go even faster.

“So globally, we've set that as our milestone to be 50 per cent electric by 2025, but in Malaysia, we want to be 75 per cent by 2025. Only in a couple of years' time, by 2025, 75 per cent of our sales will come from electric cars,” he said at the launch of the company's first-ever electric-only sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric.

The C40 Recharge Pure Electric will be the company’s second locally-assembled or completely knocked down (CKD) electric vehicle (EV) offering after XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, which was first launched here in March.

The first CKD EV was an astounding success with the company still fulfilling deliveries of cars to customers with a healthy order bank going into 2023.

Frump also noted that Volvo was the first car brand to locally assemble EVs and exported to other Asean markets, namely Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

“The list is continuing to grow because I think the products that we're building and the quality of the assembly is very well liked throughout,” he said.

Commenting on the newly-launched Volvo model, Frump said the SUV is designed for customers looking for edgy design, electrification and cutting-edge technology.

It comes with a full electric powertrain that produces an output of 408 horsepower and 660 newton-metre of torque, enabling it to go from 0 to 100 kilometres (km) per hour in 4.7 seconds.

It could cover a range of over 450km on a single charge, while also featuring the ability to charge up to 80 per cent in 28 minutes, said Frump.

The Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric, available in five colours, namely Crystal White, Black Stone, Silver Dawn, Sage Green, and the latest colour Fjord Blue ― is officially launched today at a hassle-free price of RM288,888 on the road.

Volvo Car Malaysia also made its mark with the introduction of its ‘Online Sales’ platform, whereby customers can make bookings on the company’s official website starting 8pm today.

The newly-launched car is available for viewing at all authorised Volvo dealers in Malaysia from December 15, 2022 onwards. ― Bernama