is Volvo planning a low value, electrical Robotaxi rival?

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is Volvo planning a low value, electrical Robotaxi rival?


It’s most likely nothing. Only a playful submit on social media from a random Volvo account celebrating an obscure idea automobile from the early aughts. It couldn’t presumably imply that Volvo is definitely going to construct the factor … proper?

The submit in query went dwell on the Volvo Automobiles Heritage Fb feed final week, and it was easy sufficient. You’ll be able to test it out for your self, beneath.



See? Only a few footage of the 3CC, an idea that Volvo designers on the time supposed to be “future proof” and developed with an eye fixed in the direction of sustainability. It was an early hybrid, with regenerative braking and slick aerodynamics together with gullwing doorways and a 1+2 seating association to ease entry and egress.

Nothing to get that enthusiastic about, proper? Besides – why the (wink wink, nudge nudge) on the finish? May Volvo actually be dropping wild hints about new product on their museum website? Is that wild hypothesis, wishful pondering, or simply sloppy reporting?

Effectively, because the newly-minted “Weekend Editor” right here at Electrek (thanks, Fred!), there’s nobody to rein me in till Monday morning, on the earliest – so we’re gonna run with it, no matter it’s.

It positive seems like a Robotaxi

I’m not going to accuse Elon of stealing design concepts from Volvo any greater than I’m going to accuse Volvo of stealing the 3CC idea’s design from the OG Honda CRX HF. That mentioned, they actually do appear to share some conceptual DNA, don’t they?

OK, so we’ve received some convergent evolution right here – protected to say. However on the automation facet of issues? On the true, “the inventory is price principally zero if true self driving isn’t achieved” facet of the equation?

There’s some convergent evolution there, too, as a result of whereas Tesla’s been creating its extremely publicized FSD software program, Volvo’s father or mother firm, Geely, has been working hand in hand with Alphabet (learn: Google) to develop their very own totally autonomous taxi for Waymo by way of the ZEEKR model.

Is it actually that loopy to think about an up to date 3CC idea fitted with the identical Waymo sensor array they’re placing on Hyundais (examine that right here) being proven off simply in time to steal Tesla’s thunder from October tenth? Particularly on the heels of the EX30’s rising success in Europe?

It’s not – and assume that’s precisely what’s going to occur. That’s my take, anyway. What’s yours? Head on all the way down to the feedback and tell us when you assume Volvo has what it takes to launch a Robotaxi rival within the feedback.

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