CMA serves as a smaller sibling to the Scalable Production Architecture (SPA), which underpins the XC90 and will soon extend to the new S90 sedan. Both architectures are compatible with many of the same powertrains, including traditional and plug-in hybrid configurations, and share many other components.
Co-developed with China-based parent company Geely, the CMA and SPA platforms aim to modernize both the vehicles and the production process. Extensive use of common modular components will allow the company to streamline assembly and benefit from economies of scale.
“We are in a terrific position with CMA. We have developed this new architecture as a plug and play component,” said Volvo R&D head Peter Mertens. “This means that on Volvo’s next generation of compact cars you will benefit from the advanced technologies available on our XC90 today.”
In a separate announcement, the company outlined plans to build its first pure electric vehicle. The EV is expected to arrive in the form of a crossover, likely positioned as a rival to Tesla’s Model Y, with a range of around 325 miles.
Further embracing the electrification trend, the Swedish marque has also promised to offer plug-in hybrid powertrains across its entire lineup.
The company expects the electrified powertrains to eventually account for approximately 10 percent of its 800,000-unit global sales target by the end of the decade. The XC90 has already been met with stronger-than-expected demand, while the S90 is expected to be unveiled before the end of the year. The XC40 and mystery EV are said to follow in 2018 or 2019.
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