Radar RD6: Could This Electric Pickup Wear the Volvo Badge?
Geely Holding Group, the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Zeekr, launched a new sub-brand in China on July 12, 2022: Radar Auto. Alongside the announcement, the Radar RD6 pickup truck made its debut. Since then, Geely has introduced this electric truck in over 50 markets across Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, branded as ‘Riddara.’ I had the opportunity to spend some time with the RD6 at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2025, investigating whether Volvo might consider rebadging the truck. Here’s what I found.
Design
The RD6 boasts a clean, modern aesthetic with understated styling. The front features a clamshell hood with the bold ‘Riddara’ badge and an LED light bar that stretches across the width of the vehicle. A closed grille sits between sharp, full-LED headlights. The bumper incorporates large intake housings and a faux skid plate. From the side, the RD6 appears sharp courtesy of sculpted fenders, chunky mirrors, and a mix of chrome and matte black trim. The 17-inch wheels seem somewhat small, considering the truck’s adventure-oriented design.
At the rear, X-shaped LED taillights add character to the clean design. After closely examining the exterior, three features stood out: the illuminated brand inscription, the high-quality chrome window surround, and the connected taillamps.
Interior & Features
Inside, the RD6 presents a modern, well-finished cabin. It includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Carbit Link, a 50W wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and a CN95 PM2.5 air filter. The front leather seats are ventilated, offer six-way power adjustment, and can recline 180 degrees. Safety features encompass up to 14 ADAS functions, a surround view camera, six airbags, and a body structure constructed with over 70% high-strength steel.
Driving Experience
At 5’7″, entering and exiting the RD6, which has a height similar to a Jeep Wrangler, was effortless. The driver’s seat offered superb all-around visibility. The steering wheel, with its manually adjustable column, felt comfortable thanks to its thick rim. My head was comfortably below the headliner. Lumbar support was good, though under-thigh support might be insufficient for taller individuals.
The overall quality of materials was surprisingly impressive, with an abundance of soft-touch surfaces and fine plastics throughout the cabin. I particularly appreciated the tactile feel of the switches, the green-colored padding, and the copper-colored cross-stitching on the dashboard, door panels, and center console. The gauge cluster displayed crisp picture quality and sharp graphics. An interesting knurled dial below the rightmost AC vent allowed for brightness adjustment. The infotainment screen was easy to use, and the separate climate control panel below it was a practical design choice.
In the second row, with the driver’s seat adjusted for a 5’7″ person, legroom and knee room were plentiful. The backrest’s default angle felt comfortable, though a recline function was unavailable. Under-thigh support was adequate, although the cushion could have been slightly longer. There was over four inches of headroom. Rear seat passengers benefit from a center armrest with two cupholders, two AC vents, and outer-position ventilation.
Specifications
The RD6 measures 207 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 73.4 inches tall. It has a wheelbase of 122.8 inches and a minimum turning radius of 20 feet. The bed is 60 inches long, 57 inches wide, and 21.2 inches high. Its payload capacity is 2,270.7 lbs, towing capacity is 6,613.8 lbs, and the front trunk (frunk) adds 70 liters (2.4 cubic feet) of storage.
Platform & Mechanicals
The RD6 is built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), its pure electric platform. The electric pickup utilizes McPherson independent suspension at the front and a multi-link independent setup at the rear, along with four-wheel disc brakes.
Battery & Motor
The top-spec RD6 features a permanent magnet synchronous motor on each axle, generating 315 kW (422 hp) and 595 Nm (439 lb-ft) of torque. The dual-motor powertrain utilizes an 86 kWh NMC battery, offering a driving range of up to 283 miles (NEDC) and a top speed of 118 mph. Charging from 30% to 80% takes 32 minutes at 100 kW DC fast charging, and AC charging from 20% to 100% takes 11 hours using a 220V/240V outlet at 6.6 kW.
Price
In Thailand, the RD6 starts at 899,000 baht (approximately USD 26,970) for the 2WD version with a 63 kWh battery. The top-spec 4WD model with an 86 kWh battery is priced at 1,299,000 baht (approximately USD 38,970).
Could the RD6 Wear the Volvo Badge?
The RD6 is undoubtedly stylish and capable, positioning itself well as a potential first all-electric truck for many buyers in emerging markets. However, it doesn’t inherently align with Volvo’s brand identity, which centers on Scandinavian design and premium comfort. The RD6 targets the mass-market segment with an attractive package, but Volvo isn’t known to compete in that space. This is especially true after the Mercedes X-Class experiment, where the upmarket cousin of the Nissan Navara failed to meet premium expectations.
Ultimately, while the RD6 is an impressive truck, it seems unlikely to receive the iron mark, much like the EM90. Customer needs vary across Europe, North America, and Asia in terms of electrification and powertrain preferences. Instead of re-styling an existing product, Volvo might be better served developing a dedicated truck if it ever decides to enter this segment.
