Volvo pumps almost £1bn into Torslanda plant for next-gen EV production
Volvo is to invest more than £800 million into its Torslanda manufacturing plant in Sweden for next-generation EV production.
As part of the planned investment of SEK 10 billion (c.£808 million), the company will introduce a number of new and more sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes in the plant. These include the introduction of mega casting of aluminium body parts, a new battery assembly plant and fully refurbished paint and final assembly shops.
The investments follow a recent announcement by Volvo Cars and Northvolt, the leading battery cell company, to invest SEK 30 billion in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, tailor-made batteries for the next generation of pure electric Volvo models.
Both investment plans represent new steps towards Volvo Cars’ ambition to be a fully electric car company by 2030 and reflect the company’s commitment to a long-term future in its hometown of Gothenburg.
Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars, said: “With these investments, we take an important step towards our all-electric future and prepare for even more advanced and better electric Volvos.
“Torslanda is our largest plant and will play a crucial role in our ongoing transformation as we move towards becoming a pure electric car maker by 2030.”
As part of the investment, a new battery assembly plant will integrate battery cells and modules in the floor structure of the car, while the assembly shop is being refurbished for the accommodation of the next-generation fully electric cars – for example, with a new ‘marriage point’ where the top body and the floor of the car meet for the first time.
The logistics areas will also be refurbished, improving material flow and optimising the transport of goods and parts into the plant. The company will also invest in the introduction of mega casting of aluminium body parts for the next generation of electric Volvo models.
Javier Varela, head of engineering and operations at Volvo Cars, said: “Our future as a company is all-electric and that requires a variety of upgrades across the plant to ensure that Torslanda can continue to build premium electric cars of the highest quality.”
The Torslanda plant has an annual production capacity of 300,000 cars and is one of Volvo Cars’ longest-operating manufacturing facilities.
