Although it may seem like the ‘legacy brands’ are not launching many new models in comparison to the new brands (mainly from China), it’s not really the case. It should be noted that the newcomers, which have arrived in the past 2 – 3 years, have had to quickly build up their offerings. They have lots of models in China and they are trying to find which will appeal to Malaysians and sell in meaningful volumes.
So the many launches are to be expected for a while, and at least one brand has already dropped one model and replaced it with another. The end of the duty-exemption for EVs at the end of this year will also see some models disappearing as their price would increase with taxes added.
Model cycles
The legacy brands have not necessarily slowed down but their models are typically on 5-year cycles (normal industry practice) so some have new models and some don’t. They don’t have much choice since it’s not like they can develop new models right away.
Furthermore, many are long-term players who have invested many millions in assembling models locally and they cannot just import CBU models like the Chinese are doing (though some have also started local assembly).
All Volvo models updated
Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has had some brand new models to launch over the past few years and at the same time, it has also been updating its range this year. The company reports that it has now fully updated all its models for model year 2026.
“With the refreshed XC60 and the addition of the single-motor EC40, we are strengthening our line-up to provide more choices that fit the lifestyles of Malaysian customers. As we move into 2026, our focus remains on delivering the very best of Volvo – cars that combine safety, performance, and sustainability. Looking ahead, we are also preparing for an exciting milestone as we look forward to our first-ever, fully electric sedan for Malaysia,” said Chris Wailes, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.
New fully electric flagship sedan
The sedan which Mr. Wailes is referring to is the new ES90 which was launched in March 2025. The ES90 takes its place in Volvo’s flagship series and is the sixth fully electric model in its line-up, joining the EX90, EM90, EX40, EC40 and EX30. While its form seems to defy categorisation, it is regarded as the first fully electric Volvo sedan.
The ES90 is built on SPA2 architecture which first appeared in 2023 and is also used for the EX90 and Polestar 3. SPA is a dedicated EV version of the original SPA architecture which was adopted in 2014 with the second generation of the XC90.
The ES90 also represents the latest in terms of electric systems and battery technology. With 800V technology, the ES90 can be charged more quickly with better overall performance and more efficiency. The result is a car that goes further and charges faster than any electric Volvo before, it is claimed.
Volvo says that 10 minutes at a 350-kW DC charging station can ‘fill’ 300 kms of range and a full battery pack is claimed to be good for up to 700 kms.
Still duty-free
As it has done since 1967 when it was the first automaker to assemble cars in Malaysia, VCM should be planning for local assembly of the ES90 in 2026. By assembling locally, the ES90 will enjoy a further 2 years of duty-exemption after the incentive ends on December 31, 2025. This would allow the model to be attractively priced in the premium segment.
