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New Car Registrations in Italy Rise 7.6% Year-Over-Year in May

New Car Registrations in Italy Rise 7.6% Year-Over-Year in May

On June 1, data from the Italian Ministry of Transport showed that new car registrations in Italy rose 7.6% year-over-year in May, totaling 150,096 units. In the first five months of this year, Italy recorded a cumulative total of 790,301 new car registrations, a 9.4% increase year-over-year. Stellantis, Italy’s leading domestic automaker (which owns brands such as Fiat, Jeep, and Peugeot), outperformed the market, with May sales rising 11% year-over-year and a market share of 28.8%. Chinese automakers continued their rapid growth in the Italian market in May: BYD’s sales surged 209.5% year-over-year to 6,019 units; sales of Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo brands soared 302.3% year-over-year to 3,975 units. U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla recorded 654 new vehicle registrations in Italy in May, a 23.5% year-over-year decline, with a market share of approximately 0.44%. Despite the dip in May’s monthly sales, Tesla’s new vehicle registrations in Italy for the first five months of the year still rose 15.2% year-over-year to 5,495 units, representing a market share of about 0.7%.

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Volvo EX90 & ES90

Targeting the Premium All-Electric Segment: Volvo EX90 & ES90 Officially Launch

On May 29, at the 30th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Expo, Volvo Cars unveiled two flagship all-electric models—the EX90 and ES90—marking its official entry into the premium all-electric SUV and sedan markets. The EX90 is available at a limited-time introductory price starting from 459,900 yuan, while the ES90 starts at 389,900 yuan. Six exclusive launch benefits are also being offered, covering various aspects of vehicle ownership, including trade-ins, maintenance, and charging. Clear Pricing and Benefits for Both Models, Catering to Diverse Customer Needs Both models launched this time come in two versions, with a clear pricing structure. The Volvo EX90 offers the Dual-Motor AWD Plus and Dual-Motor AWD Ultra performance versions, with limited-time prices of 459,900 yuan and 529,900 yuan, respectively; the Volvo ES90 includes the Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range Plus and Dual-Motor AWD Ultra performance versions, with limited-time prices of 389,900 yuan and 459,900 yuan, respectively. To enhance market competitiveness, Volvo is simultaneously launching six exclusive premium benefits. These include a 5,000-yuan deposit bonus that can be applied as a 10,000-yuan discount; a 10,000-yuan trade-in subsidy for different models, and up to 50,000 yuan for trading in the same model or purchasing an additional vehicle; First-time owners receive 15,000 yuan worth of lifetime free maintenance, an 8-year/160,000-kilometer warranty on the three-electric system, and lifetime free roadside assistance; a complimentary home charging station (up to 7,599 yuan) and basic installation services; plus lifetime free basic data, free vehicle pickup and delivery, a courtesy car, and airport parking and charging services. Upgraded Powertrain and Chassis: Driving Performance Balances Stability and Agility As core products in Volvo’s electrification transformation, the EX90 and ES90 are built on the SPA2 native electric architecture, with their powertrain and chassis systems specifically tuned. Powered by Volvo’s in-house third-generation electric drive system, which balances power output with energy efficiency, the EX90 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, while the ES90 does so in 3.9 seconds. Both dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants deliver a maximum power output of 500 kW, with power delivery emphasizing linear smoothness to avoid an aggressive or abrupt driving experience. The braking and chassis configurations prioritize reliability and handling balance. The EX90 comes standard with Brembo high-performance brake calipers, achieving a braking distance of just 35 meters from 100 km/h. It has undergone testing on a 16-kilometer, 9% gradient descent in the Alps, where the brake fluid temperature remained within the safe range throughout, effectively mitigating the risk of thermal fade. Both models feature an all-aluminum chassis, reducing unsprung weight to enhance steering responsiveness and cornering stability. Paired with an intelligent dual-chamber air suspension system, the ride firmness adjusts automatically based on road conditions and driving needs, balancing comfort and handling. The suspension has undergone 28 rounds of comprehensive global tuning, covering complex scenarios such as ice and snow, mountain roads, and rally tracks. Cabin Focuses on Immersive Well-being: Nordic Style Meets Tech Features The interior design continues the Scandinavian luxury philosophy, focusing on an immersive visual and auditory experience. Both models come standard with a dimmable panoramic sunroof that blocks 99.5% of UV rays and allows for quick adjustment of transparency, achieving “light transmission without heat transfer.” Equipped with Sunlike solar spectrum technology, it reduces harmful blue light and alleviates eye strain during long drives. The cabin features 0.6-millimeter-thick translucent solid wood trim panels, engraved with bamboo patterns and starry sky motifs. During the day, the texture is warm and inviting; at night, the ambient lighting creates a soft glow, fostering a cabin environment that seamlessly blends nature and technology. The audio system was developed in collaboration with a world-class team and features an upgraded Bowers & Wilkin premium sound system. It includes 25 speakers (4 headrest speakers + 4 overhead speakers) with an output power of 1,610W, supporting 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and Abbey Road Studio mode. This mode offers a three-dimensional, six-directional “Producer Mode,” which divides sound into six directions across three dimensions. It features four preset sound effects—“Intimate,” “Spacious,” “Vital,” and “Wide”—to recreate a professional studio-grade acoustic experience. Comprehensive Safety Features: Building a Robust Protection System for the Electric Era Safety is Volvo’s core strength, and the EX90 and ES90 have enhanced protection specifically tailored to the characteristics of electric vehicles. In terms of passive safety, the body features a dedicated electric vehicle cage structure, with the A, B, and C pillars made of 1500 MPa ultra-high-strength boron steel. The roof can withstand more than four times the vehicle’s own weight, forming a robust occupant protection framework. Battery safety incorporates a multi-layered protection design, featuring a boron steel battery protection system—a rarity in the industry. The battery cover can withstand 15 tons of pressure per square centimeter, complemented by multiple reinforcing crossbeams and a 10-millimeter-thick aluminum alloy floor panel to provide 360-degree protective coverage. The vehicle passed side-impact tests far exceeding industry standards, with zero penetration of the battery module cells; it also completed a 6° angle battery underrun test simulating extreme collision conditions. Additionally, it is equipped with a smart dual-fuse safety system that cuts off the high-voltage circuit within 3 milliseconds; a fully in-house developed BMS battery management system monitors battery status 24/7 to mitigate thermal runaway risks. Thanks to the SPA2 architecture, the EX90’s torsional stiffness is nearly 50% higher than that of the gasoline-powered XC90, delivering dual safety reinforcement for both the body and the battery. Expanding the All-Electric Lineup: Volvo Accelerates Its Electrification Transformation The launch of the EX90 and ES90 fills the gap in Volvo’s lineup for mid-to-large-sized all-electric SUVs and sedans. Together with the already available all-electric MPV, the EM90, they form the three flagship models of the 90 Series electrification strategy, further enhancing the luxury all-electric product portfolio. In terms of market positioning, both models target high-end family and business users, with safety, health, and driving dynamics as their core selling points—distinguishing them from the parameter-driven competition typical of mainstream electric vehicles. By combining limited-time pricing and trade-in incentives, Volvo aims to lower the barrier to entry for

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