Software issues delay Volvo EX30 deliveries

VOLVO has reportedly delayed deliveries of its small-segment EX30 SUV following the detection of issues with the model’s software. It is the second time Volvo has been affected by such issues, the EX90 facing a similar problem in July of last year (2023).

Speaking to Automotive News Europe (ANE), Volvo Car said it can “confirm that it is working tirelessly to resolve the problem” and that “important progress has been made”.

It is understood the software, labelled version 1.2, does not yet meet all the requirements to satisfy its release. The issue is understood to “contain, among other thing, some Google certifications and key updates” which without “the cars cannot and must not be delivered”.

Citing a Volvo spokesperson, the ANE report said that “a limited number of customers have had to wait a few extra days for their cars to be delivered while minor details are addressed”.

However, ANE says that it has correspondence that contradicts that assessment, stating that “multiple delays have impacted vehicle deliveries for a period of approximately two weeks”.

The publication said the issue affects vehicles sold in markets around the globe, and that the ‘fix’ cannot be implemented over-the-air, instead requiring action to be carried out at an authorised dealership.

ANE added that the update will begin from this week, with deliveries to recommence shortly thereafter.

The Chinese-made Volvo EX30 is the most affordable and fastest accelerating Volvo battery electric model yet and is a crucial vehicle for the brand and is one that is expected to help Volvo to boost its global sales by a significant 69 per cent.

Overall, the EX30 will form a critical part of helping Volvo to achieve its target of 1.2 million annual sales by as early as 2025. The Sino-Chinese brand sold a record 708,716 vehicles worldwide in 2023, including an historic high of 11,128 units in Australia.

Locally, three variants of the EX30 are available with pricing beginning from $59,990 plus on-road costs.

The EX30 is Volvo’s smallest electric SUV which the company says also boasts the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo produced to date.

The model combines “the best elements of Volvo’s distinctive Scandinavian ‘living room’ design”, with “industry leading” safety features, the latest Apple CarPlay and voice-activated Google functionalities as standard.

The EX30 utilises a high-voltage 400V lithium-ion battery that Volvo says makes the EX30 “optimised for range, comfort, safety, and versatility”.

All three locally available variants run the same 69kWh battery with single-motor variants outputting 200kW/343Nm and dual-motor variants 315kW/543Nm. The latter can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds.