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Local roots
The Volvo EX30 was launched at the end of 2023 and was an instant hit with consumers: it was one of the best-selling electric cars in 2024. The addition of the Volvo EX30 to the production line in Ghent will create some 350 jobs at the plant, bringing the total number of employees to nearly 6,600. And the Ghent plant will not stop there: the Volvo EX30 Cross Country will also be produced there later this year. The presence of motivated staff and the desire to continue to evolve mean that Ghent can be described as locally rooted.
This rooting is clearly supported by local decision-makers and economic entities in the region. The presence of motivated staff and the desire to continue to evolve mean that Ghent can be described as locally rooted. This rooting is clearly supported by local decision-makers and economic entities in the region.
€ 200 million invested in production plant
The production of the Volvo EX30 in Europe is part of the European Union's programme for sustainability and competitiveness; it is an investment in a future that creates jobs and promotes innovation and electrification. At its plants in Ghent (Belgium) and Torslanda (Sweden), Volvo Cars now produces 10 different models of electric and hybrid cars in Europe. Volvo Cars is thus continuing to diversify its global production infrastructure for one of its most popular models and expanding its production capacity to better meet local demand. To enable production of the Volvo EX30, Volvo has invested some € 200 million in its Belgian factory over the last few years.
Among the most significant changes are the addition of an entirely new automotive platform, the installation of 600 new and improved robots, the expansion of the battery factory hall, a new door production line and a new battery assembly line. "The Volvo EX30 is essential to strengthening our position in the European market for high-end electric cars," said Francesca Gamboni, Chief Manufacturing & Supply Chain Officer. "The Volvo EX30 is essential to strengthening our position in the European market for high-end electric cars," said Francesca Gamboni, Chief Manufacturing & Supply Chain Officer at Volvo Cars. “The investment in the European production of the Volvo EX30 in Ghent is in line with the strategy we have been pursuing for many years, which is to build our cars in the region where they sell best. This flexible global presence increases our resilience and allows us to easily adjust our production plans.“
“After deciding to move production of the Volvo EX30 to Ghent in autumn 2023, we prepared everything in record time to build the new model,” explained Stefan Fesser, Director of Volvo Car Ghent. “Thanks to the commitment and cooperation of our entire team in Ghent, we were able to reduce this industrialisation time by half. We are very proud to welcome the Volvo EX30 and to prove that, thanks to new technologies and innovations, we can respond more flexibly to market demand.”
In addition to the Volvo EX30, other electric models are also produced in Ghent: the fully electric EX40 and EC40, as well as the hybrid models V60 and XC40 KERS. More than 186,000 cars rolled off the assembly line in 2024.
