Hats off to Volvo. Its smallest electric SUV, the EX30, is absolutely crushing it in Europe. The pint-sized EV shot up the charts to become Europe’s second-best-selling EV in August, but it was overshadowed only by the Tesla Model Y.
The first EX30 deliveries in Europe started last December, meaning the car has been on sale for only a few months. Since then, it’s become the automaker’s fourth top-selling car—not just EV—in its global lineup. Keep in mind that EV registrations in the EU fell by 43.9% in August, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Despite this, Volvo’s EV registrations actually increased by 36%, and it has the EX30 to thank.
This kind of sales boom is the same success that automakers dream about. And if Europe’s adoption of the vehicle is an indication of what can be expected when the car launches in the U.S. next year, well, let’s just say that Volvo clearly has a massive hit on its hands.
I really liked their electric XC40’s and tried to buy one last year, but … I just can’t figure out car dealerships. They had two on the lot, I had enough in my checking account, I go there on a Saturday morning, and … It was just a mess. The sales guy first said electric cars are dumb and I don’t want one, I actually want their biggest SUV, then he said he could only lease the electric cars (with horrible terms), not sell them. I gave up and went home to see if there is a way to buy a new Volvo online – no. So I bought my second choice (a Tesla Y), with an app, in about 30 minutes.
That sounds like the sales guy really screwed up. But I get it. I had the same kind of situation and ended up with 3 sales people yelling at me to buy a used car. I went to a different dealer and got the car I originally wanted with no hassle. I also got catfished at a couple places. They didn’t have the car I wanted, or anything for the price they quoted.