<h1>The Discontinuation of the Volvo S60 in the U.S.</h1>
The Volvo S60 sedan, currently the Swedish automaker’s most efficient plug-in hybrid in Recharge form, is being discontinued in the U.S. The production of the S60, which took place at Volvo’s factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina, is coming to an end this month. This decision was hinted at back in 2021 when Volvo announced that the South Carolina factory would transition to all-electric production by 2024, ahead of its other plants worldwide. Despite initial speculation that the S60 might continue as an import to the U.S., Volvo has confirmed that this will not be the case.
<h2>End of Production</h2>
Volvo has officially stated that the S60 will not continue in the U.S. as an import. Since its inauguration in 2018, approximately 120,000 S60 units have been sold globally. The V60 wagon, a derivative of the S60, is also expected to be discontinued, even though it is produced at a different plant in Belgium. The S60 has been sold in the U.S. for 25 model years across three generations, with the most recent generation introducing a plug-in hybrid powertrain option.
<h2>S60 Recharge Features</h2>
The S60 Recharge, leading Volvo’s plug-in hybrid lineup in terms of electric range and fuel economy, boasts a range of 41 miles on electric power and a fuel economy of 31 mpg combined. This efficiency is possible due to a larger 14.9-kWh battery pack introduced for the 2023 model year. Earlier models equipped with a smaller 10.4-kWh battery pack offered 22 miles of electric range and 30 mpg combined.
<h2>Shift to Electric Vehicles</h2>
Volvo has strategically integrated plug-in hybrids into its EV product lineup more comprehensively than any other automaker and has even begun to phase out the visibility of tailpipes on its vehicles. With the discontinuation of the S60, Volvo is shifting its focus towards full electric vehicles. The all-electric EX90 SUV has already begun production in South Carolina, with the Polestar 3 from Volvo’s spinoff brand set to follow soon.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
The decision to discontinue the Volvo S60 in the U.S. marks the end of an era for the sedan after 25 model years and three generations. As Volvo pivots towards a future dominated by electric vehicles, the S60 Recharge remains a benchmark for efficiency and performance among plug-in hybrids in the market. The transition to a fully electric lineup reflects Volvo’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions for the future.