Volvo Cars has applied to register the EX50 name in Europe, fuelling speculation that the Swedish manufacturer is preparing a new electric SUV to replace the current EX40.

Such a model would be particularly important for Belgium, as the EX40 is built at Volvo’s Ghent factory, while the company’s new plant in Košice, Slovakia, has already been selected to produce an unnamed next-generation electric Volvo.

Major consequences for the Ghent factory

If the future EX50 is assigned to Slovakia rather than Ghent, the decision could have major consequences for the Belgian factory’s production volumes and long-term role within Volvo’s European manufacturing network.

Volvo has not confirmed the model, its launch date, or its production location, but the trademark filing adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about Ghent’s future.

The trademark application was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on 14 July and covers cars and electric vehicles. Volvo has not officially confirmed that the EX50 will enter production, and manufacturers frequently register names to protect future options. Nevertheless, the designation fits Volvo’s current naming system, in which EX denotes fully electric SUVs.

Replacing aging EX40

The most likely explanation is that the EX50 will eventually replace the aging EX40. That model began life as the electric version of the XC40, which was launched in 2017, and was previously marketed as the XC40 Recharge before being renamed EX40 in 2024.

By 2027 or 2028, the underlying architecture will be around ten years old. A completely new model will therefore be needed if Volvo wants to remain competitive in one of Europe’s most important electric vehicle segments.

The XC40 and EX40 family is also commercially crucial. In 2024, Volvo sold almost 174,000 units worldwide, making it the company’s second-most-popular model line after the XC60. Replacing it successfully will be vital for both sales volumes and profitability.

Despite reports linking the EX50 name to two other electric models under development, these are believed to be a sedan and an estate, possibly called ES60 and EV60. The EX50 designation is far more likely to refer to an SUV, positioned below the EX60.

Based on SPA3

The future model could use Volvo’s new SPA3 electric architecture, which debuted in the EX60. The platform includes an 800-volt electrical system, cell-to-body battery integration, large structural castings, Volvo-developed electric motors, and a centralized computing system.

Volvo says SPA3 can be adapted to different sizes and body styles. Polestar will also use related technology for the Polestar 7, which is expected to enter production in Europe in 2028.

An EX50 based on SPA3 could offer faster charging, better efficiency, and more interior space than the current EX40. It would also need to be cheaper to manufacture, as Volvo faces growing pressure from Tesla, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai-Kia, and increasingly competitive Chinese brands.

The car would fill an important gap in Europe. In Belgium, the EX40 currently starts at €46,605, while the larger EX60 begins at €62,990. An EX50 could sit between the two, likely in the €50,000-€60,000 price range, though no official pricing or technical information is available.

The production location could be particularly important for Belgium. The XC40 and EX40 have long been built at Volvo’s factory in Ghent, which also produces the EX30 for Europe. Ghent has so far built well over 1.15 million units of the XC40 and its electric EX40 sibling.

More clarity on September 17th?

However, Volvo’s new electric car factory in Košice, Slovakia, is scheduled to build an unnamed next-generation Volvo before adding the Polestar 7 in 2028. A high-volume compact electric SUV such as the EX50 would fit that description, although Volvo has not confirmed any connection.

If the EX50 replaces the Ghent-built EX40 but moves to Slovakia, the decision could have major consequences for the Belgian plant. Volvo is working with the Belgian and Flemish governments to improve Ghent’s competitiveness and is considering additional production for other brands to increase capacity utilization.

For now, the trademark confirms only that Volvo wants to protect the EX50 name. More clarity could follow during the company’s strategy update on 17 September, when Volvo is expected to present a broader and more ambitious product plan.