Volvo Cars has announced plans to commence production of its fully electric EX30 small SUV in its Ghent facility in Belgium by 2025. This decision stems from the overwhelming demand for the EX30, further amplifying its production capacity.
Why It Matters
The introduction of the EX30 in Ghent is a reflection of Volvo’s strategy to manufacture its vehicles as close as possible to their target markets. This move not only ensures adequate supply for the anticipated demand in Europe and for global exports but also showcases the company’s intent to localize production. It also enhances Volvo’s production flexibility for what’s expected to be among its top-selling models in the near future.
Key Points
- The EX30 received widespread praise upon its reveal and has already clinched several awards, including The Sun Car of the Year and the Small SUV/Crossover of the Year from the Sunday Times.
- Production commenced this fall in Zhangjiakou, China, with the first units poised to be delivered to customers within this year.
- Ghent’s addition to the production lineup is in line with Volvo’s principle of building its high-demand models, like the XC60 and XC40, in multiple regions – both in Europe and China.
- Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ CEO, expressed, “Our ambition is to sell the EX30 globally at an attractive price point… Adding production in Ghent is a logical move as we aim to capture the strong demand for our exciting small electric SUV globally.”
Bottom Line
Volvo Cars’ decision to ramp up the production of its EX30 in Belgium highlights the model’s pivotal role in the company’s ambitious electrification roadmap. With an aim to exclusively sell electric cars by 2030 and targeting half of its global sales from electric cars by mid-decade, the EX30 is anticipated to play a significant part in Volvo’s strategic transformation. The EX30, joining the XC40 and C40 models, becomes the third electric Volvo to be produced in Europe, further bolstering Volvo’s electrification strategy in the region.
