Volvo Cars says it will start building its entry-level battery-electric vehicle, the Volvo EX30 compact CUV, in its Belgium plant to meet unexpectedly high demand in Europe.
Production of the vehicle will start in the Ghent plant from 2025, expanding production capacity beyond what started recently in Zhangjiakou, China. The first cars are expected to reach customers later this year.
The decision also adds production flexibility for what the company expects to be one of its best-selling models. Volvo says this approach is a proven concept building on its top-selling XC60 and XC40 CUVs in both Europe and China.
Joining the XC40 and C40 models on the Ghent production line, the EX30 is the third fully electric Volvo model to be produced in Europe.
Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars’ chief executive, says: “Our ambition is to sell the EX30 around the world at an attractive price point, easing the transition to driving an electric Volvo car for more people while also contributing to company margins.”
