Volvo Breaks Ground on First Manufacturing Plant in US

Oct 05, 2015

“Today’s groundbreaking proves that Volvo Cars follows promises with action”, said Kerssemakers, “Volvo is moving quickly to expand its presence in the United States with new cars, new engines and now, a new factory”.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and other high-profile public figures attended the celebration. The first South Carolina-built Volvos are planned to roll off the assembly line in late 2018.

 “Volvo Cars’ new South Carolina plant is a reflection of our firm commitment to the U.S. market”, said Lex Kerssemakers.

The all-new auto making facility in Berkeley County will brand the Volvo vehicle Corporation as a global carmaker as North America is the third continent the Swedish company is building a production facility in, after Europe and China (where there are two plants each). Haley joined Kerssemakers in wielding a silver shovel to turn dirt at one corner of a large tract that has already been cleared of trees.

As part of an incentive package to lure the plant, a new interchange will be built on Interstate 26. Plus, he said, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have had “good experiences” in South Carolina with their plants.

“It means South Carolina is going to receive a number of people who are going to enjoy the handsome landscapes of South Carolina”, he added. It will support production of up to 100,000 units annually, with the help of 2,000 workers in the next decade and up to 4,000 employees in the longer term.

Kerssemakers said Volvo has received 18,000 job applications even though the factory won’t begin hiring until 2017.

Source: Bulletin Leader