Volvo XC40 Production Begins in Belgium

It's no surprise that Volvo has already recieved over 13,000 orders for the XC40 given how seductive their new model lineup looks combined with the increasing demand for small premium SUVs. Production of the XC40 has just started in Ghent, Belgium, and customers can expect cars to be delivered early next year. 

Operated since 1965, the Ghent plant is one of two Volvo manufacturing plants operated by Volvo Cars in Europe. Until recently it produced the first generation of the XC60, alongside the V40 and V40 Cross Country as well as the S60 and V60.

In preparation for the XC40 and other CMA-based cars, the plant in Ghent has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishment- not least among which is an 8,000 square meter addition to their body shop. The aim is for the plant to become a global export hub for CMA-based cars. 

363 new robots have been added to the assembly line, including a massive one that raises cars to a conveyer belt closer to the ceiling of the plant. This is unique to the Ghent plant within the Volvo global production system. 

Volvo Cars’ other European plant is located in Torslanda in its home country Sweden. The company also operates two vehicle manufacturing plants in China, while a US plant is under construction in the state of South Carolina and slated for opening in the second half of 2018.