How Volvo’s XC40 Recharge Became South Africa’s Most Wanted... Used

Once upon a recent time, in the wild savannahs of South Africa's car market, a quiet revolution took place. No, it wasn't a sudden love for driving on the left or a mass conversion to manual transmissions, it was the rise of the electric chariot, namely, the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

In a thrilling plot twist straight out of a daytime soap opera, this plucky electric vehicle (EV) stormed the sales charts to become the most sold used EV in 2023, according to the scrollkeepers at AutoTrader. This isn't just any victory lap, it's a 1,550% jump from obscurity (ninth place, really) to celebrity. One might suspect witchcraft, or at least some nifty software updates.

Volvo’s local chieftain, Greg Maruszewski, declared this triumph with the air of a general who has just conquered new territories without losing a single soldier—or charging cable, in this case. He hints at more to come, with the exciting new EX30 now joining the fray, suggesting that Volvo isn’t just charging batteries, but also its ambitions.

Let's be honest, though: the XC40 Recharge’s dominance in the EV circus isn't merely about its dashing Scandinavian design or its promises of a greener pasture. It's about sneaking luxury into the garage of the eco-conscious without the new car price tag. That's right, it offers guilt-free indulgence, with a side of smugness, for those who wish to say, "I care about the Earth," and "Yes, my car can indeed park itself."

This champion of the electric cause was not only the belle of the ball in the used market but also sashayed its way up the new vehicle charts, tripling its registrations from the previous year. One wonders if there’s a secret underground racing league for electric cars where the XC40 is the reigning champion, silently whirring its way past the competition.

Moreover, the XC40 Recharge picked up the crown for the best New Energy Vehicle at the prestigious (and lengthily named) 2023 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year competition. Available in both a Single Motor Plus and a Twin Motor Ultimate, it caters to both the eco-friendly hipster and the power-hungry executive. With a rear-driven model pushing out 175 kW and an all-wheel-drive variant that boasts a hefty 300 kW, it's like choosing between being hugged by a bear or being chased by one—both thrilling in their own right.

And let’s not forget Volvo’s grand plan: by 2030, every shiny new Volvo will be a knight in shining armor, fighting the good fight against emissions. Until then, we can enjoy the spectacle of these silent warriors, like the XC40 Recharge, sneaking into our lives and our driveways, making us part of a revolution, one pre-owned sale at a time.

So here’s to the XC40 Recharge: the thunderous whisper of the automotive world, proving that sometimes, the best way to make noise is to barely make a sound at all.