Volvo's Tesla Model Y Fighter Has Entered Production

Volvo may be late to the party, but the Swedish automaker is making up for it with a plan to launch a new electric car every year for the next five years. By 2025, Volvo wants EVs to represent 50 percent of its global sales. The first of these new EVs is theXC40 Recharge. One year after its debut, Volvo'sfirst-ever electric carhas now entered production, marking the start of a new electric era for the Swedish car manufacturer.

Since it was revealed, customer demand for Volvo's answer to the Tesla Model Y has beenvery strong. In fact, while the order books are still open, Volvo has confirmed the 2020 XC40 Recharge is already sold out for the 2020 model year.

"Today is a momentous occasion for Volvo Cars and for all employees here in Ghent," said Javier Varela, head of global industrial operations and quality. "As we continue to electrify our line-up, the Ghent plant is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network." In Europe, the first customer deliveries will begin later this month.

Based on the same Compact Modular Architecture as the regular combustion-powered car, the XC40 Recharge replaces the regular model's 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine with a electric motor and a floor-mounted battery pack.