Volvo to build EX30 SUV in Ghent as part of production capacity increase

The EX30 was unveiled earlier this year and since then has won the affection of almost everyone and several major awards, including Car of the Year from The Sun and Small SUV/Crossover of the Year from the Sun Sun.

Demand is expected to be high

Production of the EX30 began in the previous part of the year in Zhangjiakou, China, with the first cars due to be delivered to their new owners later this year. The decision to build the EX30 in Ghent will increase production capacity to match the expected demand for the car in Europe while also meeting export needs to the rest of the world. This reflects, among other things, the Swedish carmaker's ambition to produce its cars where they are sold the most.

This decision will also lead to increased production flexibility for a model that the carmaker expects to become one of its best-selling cars in the coming years. This approach is a proven concept for Volvo Cars, which produces its best-selling XC60 and XC40 SUVs in both Europe and China.

"Our goal is to sell the EX30 with attractive pricing around the world, making it easier for a wider range of people to make the switch to a electric Volvo car, and at the same time increase the company's profits," said Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars. "Expanding production to the Ghent factory is a logical step in line with the response to strong global demand for our exciting small electric SUV," he added.

Volvo Cars boasts one of the most ambitious electrification plans in the automotive industry, which includes a plan to transition to all-electric vehicle production by 2030. One of the sub-goals is to achieve a 50% share of fully electric cars in total sales by the middle of the current decade.

The Volvo EX30 plays an important role in this regard, as Volvo Cars expects it to make a major contribution to achieving its goals with regard to growth and profitability. This makes the EX30 a cornerstone of Volvo Cars' ongoing strategic transformation.

Joining the XC40 and C40 on the Ghent production line, the Volvo EX30 will become the third all-electric Volvo model produced in Europe. This will strengthen Volvo's electric vehicle production capabilities in the region and at the same time reinforce the important role of the Ghent plant in the automaker's electrification strategy.

Source: VCCR