Volvo Takes Aim At C-Segment Kings With Focus On Small Models

Volvo, together with its parent company Geely, have their sights set on the competitive but equally lucrative smaller C-segment vehicle market with the opening of the new China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT) centre.

According to the Autocar, Volvo describes the new operation as an “engineering and development centre for future C-segment cars, addressing the needs of Volvo Cars and Geely Auto,” and will be based in Volvo’s stomping ground of Sweden, specifically Gothenburg, and owned the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

This new C-Segment contender due to emerge from the new centre will be based on a new platform, spawning a replacement for the Volvo V40, and will go head to head with other segment heavyweights such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Honda Civic.

CEVT says they have the capability to engineer a whole new vehicle, including the underpinning architecture, powertrain, transmission and exterior design. They will implement what they call “modular technology” to create components and vehicles that span a wide range of sizes of prices.

With adjustable length, width, height, and wheelbase, their modular approach can be used to suit “different performance levels for handling, noise and vibrations.” This approach should also make it much easier to add new tech to the base architecture in addition to expanding the range with new variants.

Interestingly, Volvo’s new CEVT centre is also has hybrid powertrain development and mechanical all-wheel drive on the books. Some have speculated that the hybrid setup will be utilized through an electric motor powering the rear axle.