Volvo Achieves Production Milestone: One-Millionth XC40/EX40 Produced at Ghent Plant
Just seven years ago, Volvo's Ghent manufacturing plant in Belgium assembled the first-ever XC40. Today, a significant achievement was celebrated as the one-millionth XC40/EX40, built in Ghent, rolled off the production line. This milestone underscores the enduring global success of Volvo's versatile premium SUV and its commitment to manufacturing vehicles close to its markets.
Stefan Fesser, the Plant Manager at Ghent, proudly announced, "Today marks an important milestone in the history of Volvo Car Gent as we have produced our one-millionth XC40/EX40. With our dedicated and highly skilled team, we are advancing our strategy towards electrification, having already produced over 175,000 fully electric models."
The Volvo XC40 was unveiled at a special event in Milan, Italy, in September 2017, marking the company's first foray into the small premium SUV market. It quickly rose to bestseller status and, in 2018, won the prestigious European Car of the Year award, the first Volvo model to do so.
Since 2020, the XC40 has also been available as a fully electric model, establishing Volvo Cars as a premium electric vehicle segment leader. The vehicle is designed to improve through over-the-air updates and is powered by motors developed in-house.
Earlier this year, the fully electric XC40 was rebranded as the EX40 as part of Volvo's strategy to streamline the model names for its fully electric cars. While the last plug-in hybrid XC40 was produced the previous year, the XC40 name continues for the mild-hybrid version, which remains in production.
Since its introduction, the XC40 has consistently ranked among Volvo's top three best-selling models. In 2023, it was the second-best-selling car, surpassed only by the mid-size XC60 SUV, and it still holds that position for the first nine months of 2024.
The EX40 is one of Volvo's five fully electric cars on the market, and with five more under development, the company is steadfast in its journey towards full electrification. By 2030, Volvo aims for 90 to 100 per cent of all its cars sold globally to be electric, with a possible allowance for up to 10 per cent being mild hybrids if necessary.
The introduction of the XC40 marked a new era for Ghent, leading to considerable investments to transform Volvo Car Gent into a global export hub.
Volvo continues to invest in its Ghent facility, enhancing it to start production of the eagerly anticipated fully electric EX30 in early 2025. This initiative is part of a significant, long-term investment commitment to Europe.