Volvo Expands Production of EX30 Electric Car in Ghent, Belgium
Volvo has made a strategic decision to start building its popular EX30 electric car in Ghent, Belgium, in order to better serve key markets where demand is high. Previously, the small SUV was exclusively assembled in Zhangjiakou, China, before being shipped worldwide.
With the EX30 ranking as Europe’s 13th best-selling EV in the first quarter of 2025, Volvo recognized the need to increase production capacity within the European Union. This move was further reinforced by the European Union’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, including the Volvo crossover.
In response to the tariffs, Volvo announced plans to shift production of the EX30 to its Ghent facility, ensuring that Belgian-built cars are primarily distributed within the EU to avoid the punitive measures. Meanwhile, Chinese-built models will be directed towards non-EU markets such as the UK.
Former Volvo CEO Jim Rowan confirmed the timeline for production at the Ghent plant, stating, “We’ll start production at our Ghent facility in Belgium in the first half of next year and then ramp up through the gears. In the meantime, we can supply that car to many other regions which are not yet affected by tariffs.”
Francesca Gamboni, Volvo’s chief manufacturing and supply chain officer, emphasized the significance of the EX30 for the brand’s presence in Europe, highlighting its production flexibility as a key factor in enhancing resilience.
