Volvo goes electric with heart and purpose

Volvo Philippines just introduced two new plug-in hybrids, and they did it in style.

Held at the Solaire Grand Ballroom, the launch event was not your usual car unveiling. There were executives, speeches, and sleek displays, but more than that, it felt like Volvo was making a quiet but firm statement that mobility should serve life, not just speed.

The stars of the night were the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), both refreshed and now officially on Philippine roads. One’s a midsize SUV built for the city crowd. The other is a three-row giant meant for families or anyone who likes their cars roomy and a little more regal.

Both are electric when you want them to be, and petrol-powered when you need to go the extra mile. The XC60 can go up to 80 kilometers on electric power alone, enough to cover a typical Manila commute and back. The XC90 is not far behind, with a 77-kilometer electric range. And when it’s time to go out of town, their 2.0-liter turbo engines kick in to handle the longer hauls.

Inside, they’ve gone all in on comfort. Scandinavian wood accents, clean lines, leather-free materials in the XC60, and full-on Nappa leather in the XC90. They did not just throw in tech for the sake of it either. The sound systems, air purifiers, and safety features all feel like they are actually there to help, not just to sell.

That’s the thing about this launch. It didn’t feel like Volvo was trying to impress. It felt like they were trying to take care of people.

Volvo Being Alive is a name for this whole direction. It’s their way of saying safety goes beyond airbags and crash tests. It’s everyone else on the road getting home safe. The campaign is not preachy. It just puts care at the center of what they do.

“This moment isn’t just about unveiling a product — it’s about affirming a mindset. At Volvo, we see every innovation as an expression of leadership that values life, and a shared responsibility to shape mobility with a mindset for care,” Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, vice chairman, president and CEO of Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., said.

“Safety isn’t just what we build. It is founded on a simple principle: To use technology to continuously improve lives, with safety and sustainability as part of our DNA,” she shared.

That shows in the XC60’s crystal gear shifter and allergy-certified cabin, and in the XC90’s layout that keeps everything easy to reach and easy on the eyes. It also shows in all the little things Volvo didn’t call attention to, the laminated glass, the way the doors close, the calming silence when you’re in electric mode.

In a market full of loud debuts and flash, Volvo’s launch was the opposite. Quiet, confident and clear about its message that you can lead without shouting, and move forward while staying grounded in what matters.