Volvo Automobiles will launch manufacturing of a brand new electrical crossover at its U.S. meeting plant in early 2025.
The mannequin, as described by two sources aware of the plans, will slot between the midsize XC60 and enormous XC90 crossover in dimension.
The EV is predicated on a brand new electrical platform and can characteristic superior autonomous driver-assistance know-how.
The brand new mannequin, code-named V546 internally, might be the third battery-powered mannequin constructed at Volvo’s North Charleston plant, a cornerstone of the Swedish automaker’s plan to pivot to an EV-only model by 2030.
World manufacturing of the brand new mannequin is claimed to be 100,000 automobiles yearly, with 40 p.c deliberate for the North Charleston manufacturing facility and 60 p.c at a China plant, a supply mentioned. China output is predicted to start first in late 2024.
A Volvo spokesman declined to touch upon future merchandise.
Volvo’s 2.3 million-square-foot meeting plant in Ridgeville, S.C., an hour northwest of Charleston, would be the first manufacturing facility to construct the automaker’s next-generation battery-electric automobiles, Volvo Automobiles CEO Hakan Samuelsson instructed Automotive Information final summer season.
“This manufacturing facility will … even be the one plant within the [Volvo Cars Group] which solely makes full-electric vehicles,” mentioned Samuelsson, who steps down as CEO in March.
Since output started in fall 2018, the manufacturing facility has operated at a fraction of its 150,000-vehicle annual capability. Volvo constructed an estimated 23,000 S60 midsize sedans in Ridgeville final yr, based on a provider supply.
Beginning late subsequent yr, the plant will start assembling the primary of two key electrical crossovers.
Volvo affiliate Polestar will launch manufacturing of a Porsche Cayenne-sized electrical crossover there. Volvo is investing $118 million within the South Carolina plant to construct the Polestar 3.
Extra considerably, Volvo will start manufacturing of a battery model of its bestselling XC90 giant crossover in South Carolina in early 2023.
The Ridgeville manufacturing facility will primarily provide EVs to the Americas, mentioned Javier Varela, Volvo Automobiles’ head of commercial operations.
“The intention is to not construct an excellent hub for exporting from right here,” Varela mentioned. “It’s to have a facility that may ship to this market after which contribute with flexibility to ship to different markets.”