Volvo’s research and development boss, Peter Mertens has revealed that development on the company’s new CMA modular platform is well underway in conjunction with parent company Geely. The all-new modular platform is expected to underpin a family of new compact cars from the Swedish automaker including the replacement for the current V40.
“We have to cover everything from the mass market to an Audi A3 rival with CMA. Volkswagen’s MQB is doing something similar, but we have to push hard to ensure that we can have greater differentiation [between Geely and Volvo models],” he said.
He also stated that work on the new platform was challenging as the new ‘toolbox’ of component sets and structural sub-assemblies need to be versatile enough to form the basis for both mainstream and premium models.
The new CMA architecture will also underpin the compact crossover, which is likely to be
badged the XC40. Mertens also revealed that the new architecture was important for the company as it looked to expand significantly in the premium compact market.
Mertens who said that he was “deeply involved” in the project also led the platform design work on the General Motors structure that was used globally to underpin cars globally at different price levels. Some of the models included the Vaxhall Astra, Buick Verano and the Chevrolet Cruze.
The new CMA modular architecture, apart from underpinning small cars from Volvo, will also yield a range of similarly sized cars from parent company Geely which currently sells a variety of brands in China.
Uday Singh
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