For the first time in 4 years, the plant in Ghent (Belgium), the second European Volvo plant after Torslanda (Sweden) crossed the threshold again 200,000 cars were produced, this indicator has not been reached since 2019. Problems related to the Covid-19 pandemic and semiconductor shortages are now a thing of the past, allowing Volvo to achieve its best performance level in a long time. Among the 230,527 cars produced, Almost half were 100% electric cars. XC40 Recharge and C40 account for 44.5% of the total. Added to this is 9% of hybrids (PHEV). In total, the electric and hybrid XC40 accounted for 38% of the total production, the C40 – 15%. The rest of the production consisted mainly of light hybrids (petrol and diesel): 41.1%.
The models are intended for export
It is clear that the vast majority of cars leaving Ghent are intended for foreign markets. In Belgium, only 6.8% remained. The United States leads the way in exports, ahead of the United Kingdom. Asia accounted for only 5.6% of the total. Volvo Car Ghent remains a forerunner in Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy. And this should increase from 2025, as award winning Belgian factory production of the new EX30next to the Chinese factory in Zhangjiakou. 2024 will also be a year of transition to the site in order to prepare for its production.
Volvo goes green
This car will built on a new platformwhich brings with it a number of technical and infrastructural problems. Volvo Cars climate goals, including a 40% reduction in energy consumption across all operations for the average vehicle (by 2018), also remain top priorities. Volvo Car Gent continues to electrify the furnaces in the spray department, so that eventually the cooking process is carbon neutral. Until then, here are the details of the main markets where Ghent products were exported in 2023:
- THE UNITED STATES 15.5% (35,691)
- UK 14.9% (34,358)
- Sweden 9% (20,831)
- Germany 8.6% (19,774)
- Belgium 6.8% (15,603)
- Netherlands 5.8% (13,392)
- Italy 5.1% (11,685)
- Spain 3.64% (8,396)
- France 3.63% (8,357)
- Canada 2.7% (6,147)
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.