Volvo Car South Africa has solidified its leadership in the burgeoning new-energy vehicle market as the XC40 Recharge emerged as the top-selling used electric vehicle (EV) in South Africa for 2023, according to AutoTrader statistics. This model represented 20% of all EV transactions on the platform, marking a staggering 1,550% increase in sales year-over-year, propelling it from the ninth position in 2022 to the forefront in 2023.
Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car SA, highlighted the XC40 Recharge’s significant appeal in the South African market, noting its success in both new and used car segments. The introduction of the new EX30 model promises to further expand Volvo’s local offerings.
In the realm of new vehicles, the XC40 Recharge also dominated, ascending to the top of South Africa’s EV sales charts last year, a leap from its third-place ranking in 2022. This model now claims a substantial 16.6% of the total EV market, with registrations tripling from the previous year.
The XC40 Recharge, which won the title of Best New Energy Vehicle at the 2023 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year awards, is available in several configurations. These include the Single Motor Plus and the Twin Motor Ultimate, with the latter offering impressive power outputs of up to 300 kW and 660 Nm.
Volvo Car SA’s entire vehicle lineup includes some level of electrification, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. This aligns with Volvo’s global strategy to have half of its sales volume consist of fully electric cars by 2025, aiming for an all-electric lineup by 2030 as part of its commitment to a zero-emission future.
