Volvo Cars and its Ghent manufacturing plant reached a crucial milestone today as the company’s factory in Belgium started production of the fully electric EX30 small SUV.
One of Europe’s best-selling electric cars in 2024, the EX30 has been a popular choice among customers from the moment it was introduced in late 2023. Today’s milestone follows a previously announced intent to produce the EX30 in the Ghent plant, which will also start production of the EX30 Cross Country later in the year. Volvo Cars continues to further diversify its global manufacturing footprint for one of its most popular models and expands production capacity to better meet local demand.
The addition of the EX30 to the Ghent production line will result in around 350 new jobs at the plant, bringing total employment to almost 6,600 people.
“The EX30 is crucial for us as we continue to strengthen our position in the premium EV market in Europe,” said Francesca Gamboni, chief manufacturing and supply chain officer for Volvo Cars. “Investing in the European production of the EX30 in Ghent perfectly aligns with our long-held strategy to build our cars where they sell best. Our flexible global footprint contributes to our resilience, allowing us to adjust our manufacturing plans with agility.”
To make EX30 production possible in Ghent, the company made investments worth around EUR 200 million in its Belgian facility in recent years. Wide-ranging changes to the plant include the addition of a completely new car platform, the installation of almost 600 new or refurbished robots, an extension of the battery hall, a new door production line as well as a new battery pack assembly line.
EX30 production in Europe supports the European Union’s sustainability and competitiveness agenda, representing an investment in a future that creates jobs and embraces innovation and electrification. Between the Ghent, Belgium and Torslanda, Sweden plants, Volvo Cars now produces 10 different electric and hybrid car models in Europe.
“Following a decision in autumn 2023 to bring production of the EX30 to Ghent, we were able to industrialise the new model in record time,” said Stefan Fesser, manager of the Volvo Car plant in Ghent. “Thanks to the engagement and collaboration of the entire Ghent team, we cut the industrialisation time in half. Today, we are extremely proud to welcome the EX30 and demonstrate that new technology and innovation enable us to react more flexibly to market demands.”
Located on the outskirts of Belgium’s third-largest city and in the heart of its North Sea port area, Volvo Cars’ factory in Ghent opened its doors in 1965 and is the only remaining fully developed car factory in Belgium. Together with the Torslanda plant, it is one of two car manufacturing plants operated by Volvo Cars in Europe, with a third under construction in Slovakia.
Apart from the EX30, the Ghent plant also builds other electrified models – the fully electric EX40 and EC40 as well as the XC40 and V60 hybrid models. In 2024, it built a little over 186,000 cars.
SOURCE: Volvo Cars
