Increasing Competition Encourages Electric Vehicle Adoption in India According to Volvo Car India's MD
In the bustling Indian automotive landscape, Volvo Car India has made a significant move by launching the refreshed XC60, a mild hybrid luxury SUV. The vehicle, assembled locally at Volvo's Bengaluru plant as a Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) unit, carries an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹71.90 lakh.
The global sales of the XC60 have been impressive, with 20,706 units sold in June 2025, marking a 7.7% increase compared to the same period last year. In India, the XC60 remains Volvo's best-selling model, benefiting from the refreshed design updates and improved in-cabin technology.
The refreshed XC60 boasts a sharper front grille, revised bumper design, redesigned alloy wheels, new tail lights, and new colour options - Mulberry Red and Forest Lake. Inside, drivers can enjoy an 11.2-inch touchscreen powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, offering faster operation and over-the-air updates. The vehicle also integrates Google Maps and the Play Store inside its infotainment system.
Despite a challenging market backdrop, with overall passenger vehicle sales experiencing a ~7% year-on-year decline in June 2025, the refreshed XC60 stands out as a strong luxury offering. The vehicle benefits from brand goodwill and continuous product updates, positioning Volvo to capitalize on growing customer interest in premium and electric vehicles. Volvo Car India plans to introduce the EX30, a compact electric SUV, later this year.
Jyoti Malhotra, the Managing Director of Volvo Car India, is optimistic about the EV market in India. He sees competition in the EV space as a growth indicator for the country. Malhotra also expressed that customers are showing increased interest in electric cars and new generation cars over the past six-seven months.
Volvo Car India's strategic moves, such as local assembly to enhance cost-efficiency and supply chain robustness, have been instrumental in their success. The company began assembling cars in India in 2017, and in January 2024, they achieved a production milestone of 10,000 units at their Bengaluru facility. The 10,000th model produced was an all-electric XC40 Recharge SUV.
As the Indian market evolves, Volvo Car India welcomes all fellow car makers and views competition as good for the country. With the entry of Tesla into the Indian market, the race for the top spot in the luxury EV segment is bound to heat up. However, with their focus on electrification and mild hybrid technology, Volvo Car India is well-positioned to maintain its strong presence in the Indian automotive market.
[1] Volvo Car India Press Release
[2] Indian Autos Blog
[3] Car and Bike
- The refreshed XC60, a symbol of Volvo Car India's growth, has experienced a 7.7% increase in global sales, reaching 20,706 units in June 2025, as reported by Indian Autos Blog.
- The local assembly of the XC60 in India, as shown by Volvo Car India's press release, has been a strategic move improving cost-efficiency and supply chain robustness.
- Volvo Car India's Managing Director, Jyoti Malhotra, seeing competition in the electric vehicle (EV) space as a growth indicator for the country, is optimistic about the EV market in India, as noted in Car and Bike.
- Despite the overall passenger vehicle sales experiencing a decline of approximately 7% year-on-year in June 2025, the refreshed XC60 continues to be a strong luxury offering for Volvo Car India, thanks to brand goodwill and continuous product updates, as mentioned in the Volvo Car India Press Release.
- Recognizing the growing customer interest in premium and electric vehicles, Volvo Car India plans to introduce the EX30, a compact electric SUV, later this year, following steps to maintain their strong presence in the Indian automotive market, as reported by the Indian Autos Blog.
