Volvo Cars claims a 27% year-on-year lift in April global vehicle sales with hybrid and battery-electric vehicles forming more than half of the overall number.
The automaker reports sales of 65,838 cars for the month with 26% made up by BEVs and 22% by hybrid products. Total global sales for January through April amounted to 214,914 cars, an increase of 16% compared to the same period of 2023.
In Europe, overall vehicle sales rose to 34,238 cars for April, up 65% compared to the same period last year. The all-electric EX30 compact SUV emerged as the company’s best-selling model in the region, contributing to a 76% increase in the sales of Volvo Cars’ electrified models compared to the same period last year. BEV and hybrid models accounted for 67% of all cars sold in Europe during April.
Meanwhile, sales in the U.S. saw a 10% increase in April, totaling 10,604 cars. This growth was mainly driven by an 89% increase in sales of plug-in hybrid cars, now trending as one of the favorite choices of powertrain by consumers in that market.
However, overall sales in China were down 3% compared to April 2023 to 12,221 cars, possibly due to increased competition from domestic brands and their ongoing price war. Sales of electrified models stood at only 1,062 cars, a decrease of 16% compared to the same period last year.
Standout models in April included the top-selling Volvo XC60 (pictured, above) with sales of 19,542 cars followed by the XC40, with total sales of 15,139 cars and the EX30 at 9,730.
Björn Annwall, chief commercial officer and deputy CEO at Volvo Cars, says: “This performance demonstrates we are making good progress on our guidance of retail sales growth of at least 15% for the full year 2024. I am also happy to see the positive reception from EX30 customers as we ramp up deliveries of the car, as well as the continued growth of our electrified models. This reinforces our confidence in the strength of our balanced portfolio of fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid cars.”
