Volvo Car South Africa is elated to announce its remarkable leadership in the South African electric vehicle (EV) market's premium C-SUV segment during the first half of 2023, significantly outperforming all competitors in this niche.
As per data released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), local EV sales in the first half of 2023 witnessed an astonishing 145% year-on-year growth, reaching a total of 502 units. To put this achievement into perspective, these figures match the total EV sales for the entire year of 2022 in the South African market.
The Swedish luxury automaker took the front seat in this year-on-year surge during H1 2023, with both the XC40 Recharge and the newly introduced C40 Recharge leading the charge in the premium C-SUV EV category, securing an impressive total of 99 registrations between them. The XC40 Recharge, available in both Single Motor Plus and Twin Motor Ultimate variants, dominated the scene with 89 of those sales.
Volvo's segment-leading performance comfortably surpassed its nearest premium C-SUV EV rival, which managed only 31 registrations spread across two models during the first half of the year. In terms of individual model sales, the closest competitor in the category ended H1 2023 with a modest 22 sales.
Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, expressed his delight, saying, "The South African public's response to our fully electric models has been overwhelming. In fact, thanks to the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge dominating the premium C-SUV EV segment, Volvo sold the second-highest number of electric cars of any brand across the industry over the first six months of the year, despite the fact two of our main competitors each offer as many as six fully electric nameplates."
Volvo's success in the South African EV market is poised for further expansion in the upcoming months, with pre-orders for the all-new fully electric EX30 opening in June 2023. This brand-new electric SUV is set to become a cornerstone of Volvo's global electrification growth ambitions and is scheduled to make its debut in 2024 as one of the most competitively priced full-size contenders in South Africa's flourishing EV market.
The EX30 represents a significant stride towards Volvo's objective of having half of its global sales volume comprised of fully electric cars by 2025, with the remainder being hybrids. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to a zero-emission future, the Swedish luxury automaker plans to make every new vehicle it sells completely electric by 2030.
Also worth a look: the 315kW of Swedish Grit: The Volvo EX30 Cross Country Revealed and the Volvo EX90: The Future of Safety Lands in SA in 2025.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volvo XC40 Recharge cost in South Africa?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge starts from around R850,000 for the Single Motor Plus variant, whilst the Twin Motor Ultimate will set you back approximately R950,000, making it a proper premium electric SUV that's still cheaper than most German alternatives.
Q: Is the Volvo C40 Recharge worth buying in South Africa?
The C40 Recharge is absolutely worth considering if you want a stylish electric coupe-SUV with solid build quality, excellent safety features, and a range of about 420km, plus Volvo's charging network support makes it practical for South African conditions.
Q: How does Volvo compare to other premium electric SUVs in South Africa?
Volvo absolutely dominates the premium C-SUV electric segment with 99 registrations in H1 2023 compared to their nearest rival's 31 units, proving South Africans prefer Swedish reliability over German complexity when it comes to electric luxury.
Q: What is the range and charging time of Volvo's electric SUVs?
Both the XC40 and C40 Recharge offer around 420km of real-world range and can charge from 10% to 80% in about 37 minutes using a 150kW DC fast charger, which is plenty for most South African road trips between major cities.
Should You Buy It?
The best premium electric SUV under R1,000,000 in South Africa is definitely the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus at around R850,000. With 99 registrations proving its popularity, excellent build quality, 420km range, and Volvo's legendary safety reputation, it's a smart buy for anyone wanting to go electric without the usual German premium penalties. The C40 Recharge is also brilliant if you prefer the coupe styling, but the XC40's practicality makes it the sensible choice for South African families ready to ditch petrol.
