The current era of the global automotive industry, under the combination of sharing models among several brands and the Chinese approach of categorizing by using different models in the same category under different brands and positioning, is an event that we are still witnessing the influences of.
While in the past we have already seen very similar models under different brands, such as in the Volkswagen family or in the Peugeot-Citroën group (today Stellantis), what is happening in the upscale electric crossover category is quite new.
This introduction comes to explain the background to the announcement of Volvo's importer to Israel about the reduction in the price of its small electric crossover, the EX30, by NIS 10,000 to a new entry price of NIS 180,000.
The Volvo EX30 is the sibling of two new electric crossovers that have recently arrived in the Israeli market in close proximity to it. These are the Smart 001 and the Zeekr X, three brands that belong to and are manufactured by the Chinese carmaker Geely (Mercedes holds 50% in Smart). In Israel, they are marketed by three different importers; Meir in the case of Volvo, Colmobil in Smart, and Union Motors (under the name Geo Mobility) in Zeekr.
Close to the launch of the EX30 in Israel at the beginning of last December, we also had the Smart and Zeekr models land with us. Despite the initial surprise of the Volvo pricing at NIS 190,000, the price tags attached to the Smart - NIS 175,000, and the Zeekr - NIS 185,000 were no less attractive. Especially when Volvo offers a smaller battery at the entry price.
Now the importer is updating the price of the model to NIS 180,000for the CORE finish level with the standard range (51 kWh battery and 344 km range) and the single engine with 272 horsepower. The PLUS finish level also has a single engine but with a longer range due to a 69 kWh battery bringing it to 480 km will cost NIS 210,000 (222,000 so far) and the ULTRA finish level with the same technical specifications and additional equipment has not changed its price and will stand at NIS 230,000.
The performance version prices with both engines, 428 horsepower, a 69 kWh battery, and a range of 460 km will be NIS 234,000 for PLUS and NIS 240,000 for ULTRA. This is compared to NIS 243,000 and NIS 253,000 respectively.
According to the importer, the delay in the arrival of the cars expected to land in February stemmed from the prolonged shipment that was delayed beyond expectations. Regarding the price reduction, they say it has arrived: "Thanks to the manufacturer's support in light of market conditions and challenges". So maybe we are definitely frustrated with delivery delays, but we totally welcome such "challenges" like competition.