Volvo EX90 6-seater being considered for Malaysia to target luxury MPV market – no Zeekr 009-based EM90

Volvo EX90 6-seater being considered for Malaysia to target luxury MPV market – no Zeekr 009-based EM90

Despite MPVs being a big thing in this part of the world, Volvo says it will not be offering its first ever MPV to Malaysian buyers, as the Volvo EM90 is not slated for introduction here. According to Chris Wailes, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia & Thailand, the all-electric model, which shares its underpinnings with the Zeekr 009, will remain a very specific market product.

“We don’t have any plan to bring in the EM90, because it’s always been designed for China. We said that from the start,” he said during a recent interview with selected members of the Malaysian motoring press. However, he said the brand is set to explore how it can offer consumers something with a similar scope, albeit utilising a different approach and body style.

“Have we looked at whether there would be an opportunity for something along those lines? Yes, of course, as there is demand, but there are other ways we can do it, with the existing car lines that we have. Without giving too much away, you’ll see what those other ways are, hopefully, next year,” he said.

Volvo EX90 6-seater being considered for Malaysia to target luxury MPV market – no Zeekr 009-based EM90

The allusion of how this will be accomplished would be from combining the interior usability of a luxury people mover with the practicality of an SUV through a simple lounge seat configuration. With Wailes citing the good response to the six-seat version of the EX90 in Thailand, with buyers picking it over the seven-seat version, the indication points to it likely coming our way, possibly sometime in 2026.

“In Thailand, we thought about that as well, and so we introduced the six-seat version of the EX90 when we launched it in Thailand, and it’s now the number one EX90 seller there. Everybody wants a six-seat, and the people that are buying that car had MPVs before,” he explained.

“Basically, this gives the same structure as an MPV, with four captain chairs and the space to be able to get in the back. Child seats can be left in place, and everybody can fit in easily, whereas with the seven-seat, you can’t do that because you’ve got to pull the second-row forward for access to the back,” he said.

Volvo EX90 6-seater being considered for Malaysia to target luxury MPV market – no Zeekr 009-based EM90

Six-seat configuration on the Volvo EX90.

Wailes said going with a SUV approach had additional benefits, “What buyers would value is a slightly higher riding position, but they also get four-wheel drive as well. So if the weather, like it does here as well as over the border, puts a lot of water and stuff on the roads, it doesn’t matter, because they’ve got that higher position, which is better than being in a lower vehicle,” he said.

As for the four-seat Excellence, Wailes said that the ultra-luxury version of the EX90 is not under consideration. “I don’t see there really being an opportunity for it in the market,” he stated.

At present, the Volvo EX90, which was launched in April, is available only in a seven-seat Ultra Twin variant in Malaysia. The EV, which has a the total system output is 517 PS (510 hp or 380 kW) and 910 Nm and offers up to 623 km of WLTP-rated travel, is priced at RM442,888 on-the-road without insurance.

GALLERY: 2025 Volvo EX90 in Malaysia

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Ben Yap on Jun 19, 2025 at 9:22 am

    Volvo don’t bring the EX90 to malaysia is not a loss to Malaysians. Anyway, Volvo isn’t selling that well in malaysia. for luxury MPV, Malaysians will still go for Alphard and Vellfire.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • Matt Ong on Jun 19, 2025 at 12:34 pm

    Better not bring in the EM90. Less than 300hp for an EV MPV doesn’t make sense

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Sabri on Jun 19, 2025 at 3:49 pm

    zeekr looks prettier than volvo anyway

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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