Volvo Ghent built more than 200,000 cars in 2018
The Swedish car company Volvo’s Ghent (East Flanders) factory produced 200,296 cars during 2018. This is almost 40,000 fewer than the 239,156 cars it produced during 2017. The figures come from the Factory Manager of Volvo Ghent Stefan Fesser. Mr Fesser disclosed the figures at a press conference held during the press day at the Brussels Motor Show.
Volvo has been building cars in Ghent since 1965. Last year was the ninth consecutive year that the Ghent plant produced more than 200,000 vehicles. Currently, the V40, XC40 and V60 models are built at the Ghent factory.
89,000 XC40s were built last year. Production of the V60 got under way In September. 5,000 V60s had been built by the end of the year. 94% of the vehicles produced in Ghent are for export. The lion’s share off this is export to other European countries.
This year the Ghent factory will focus on increasing production of the XC40. Volvo hopes that this can be doubled by next year.
In the coming months Volvo intends to prepare its Ghent factory for the production of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Mr Fesser told journalists that "Volvo Car Gent is fully engaged in Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy.
Another priority for Volvo Ghent is its aim to become a climate neutral production facility by 2025.
Volvo Car Ghent currently employs around 6,500 people.