According to CarNewsChina, Volvo Cars is developing a new hybrid SUV with the internal designation V446 for the Chinese market. The project is described as a joint effort with Meizu and Geely, intended to fuse Volvo’s engineering standards with China’s fast-growing tech ecosystem and local manufacturing capabilities. The aim is to deliver a mature electrified crossover that blends safety, efficiency, and everyday practicality for Chinese customers who demand premium features and strong aftersales support. Production is planned to begin in early 2025 at Volvo’s Taizhou factory, a facility central to the automaker’s electrification push in eastern China and its broader China strategy. Industry observers note that the V446 is expected to ride on the CMA platform, the same architecture underlying the Volvo XC40 and many Geely family models, a choice that can streamline engineering, procurement, and software integration across brands.
Early reports place the Lynk&Co 08 as a prototype cornerstone for the V446. The CMA-based architecture sounds familiar to Volvo engineers and fits Geely’s cross-brand platform strategy, enabling shared components while tailoring ride quality and comfort to Volvo standards. The prototype signals the possibility of a high-output powertrain, with suggestions of a performance figure around 585 horsepower and a driving range near 1,200 kilometers under mixed use. If realized, the V446 could balance brisk on-road acceleration with long highway efficiency, while offering Volvo’s advanced driver assistance features, robust connectivity, and high levels of localization for the Chinese market. In short, the collaboration with Meizu and Geely aims to deliver a high-value, tech-forward crossover that resonates with local tastes yet carries Volvo’s safety pedigree.
It is plausible that the V446 adopts a powertrain configuration similar to the Lynk&Co 08, leveraging the CMA’s packaging strengths to deliver both strong performance and usable interior space. The platform choice also supports a seamless blend of fuel and electric propulsion, enabling a versatile hybrid that reduces emissions without compromising daily usability. The vehicle would be expected to showcase Volvo’s hallmark safety technologies, including advanced driver assist systems and robust cabin connectivity features, alongside Geely’s electrification know-how and Meizu’s expertise in human-machine interfaces. With its design language and technology stack, the V446 is positioned to offer a refined, connected experience on Chinese roads, while aligning with Volvo’s ongoing emphasis on sustainability, durability, and everyday reliability.
In parallel, Xiaomi’s automotive ambitions have emerged with plans to unveil a new crossover named MX11 in 2025. Xiaomi’s involvement underscores the broader trend of tech firms expanding into mobility, blending consumer electronics know-how with automotive-grade software and connectivity. Although the Volvo V446 is framed as a Chinese-market model, the collaboration signals how cross-industry partnerships could shape electrified crossover development in the region and beyond. The mix of automaker platforms, tech company software, and local manufacturing ecosystems points to a future where high-end hybrids and connected features are central to competitive offerings in China, North America, and other markets in the coming years.