Volvo’s EX30 Electric SUV to Amplify Production with Belgian Factory
October 31 2023,
Earlier this year, the Volvo EX30 burst onto the electric vehicle (EV) scene, racking up prestigious awards such as The Sun Car of the Year and the Sunday Times’ Small SUV/Crossover of the Year. Now, the automaker is taking significant steps to meet the skyrocketing demand for this electric marvel. Volvo Cars has announced that its Ghent facility in Belgium will commence production of the EX30 in 2025, supplementing the existing manufacturing operations in Zhangjiakou, China.
Volvo kicked off the production of the EX30 in Zhangjiakou this autumn, and the first units are slated to be in consumers' hands by the end of this year. With the Ghent addition, Volvo aims to scale up to meet not just the European demand but also to prepare for global exports.
Manufacturing Where It Matters
According to Volvo Cars' CEO, Jim Rowan, "The addition of Ghent is more than a capacity booster; it aligns with our global strategy of producing vehicles closer to key markets." This decision is part of Volvo's broader vision to build its cars where the demand is—similar to their strategy with other hit models like the XC60 and XC40, which are also produced in multiple locations, including Europe and China.
The Ghent facility will add a layer of flexibility to Volvo's manufacturing pipeline, which is particularly crucial for the EX30, expected to be one of Volvo’s best-selling models in the years ahead.
EX30: A Catalyst in Volvo's Electrification Roadmap
Volvo Cars has one of the industry’s most audacious plans for electrification. With a goal to become a fully electric car brand by 2030, the company aims for EVs to constitute half of its global sales by the mid-2020s. The EX30 is not just another EV model but a critical component in achieving these milestones.
The Ghent facility already has a track record of electric production, as it manufactures other fully electric models like the XC40 and C40. With the introduction of the EX30 to this Belgian plant, Ghent gains even more significance in Volvo’s overarching electrification blueprint.
