Volvo this week officially started series production of the
Volvo S60L at its manufacturing plant in Chengdu, China. The production
start is another important milestone in Volvo Cars’ transformation
journey and the establishment of China as the company’s second home
market.
The first car to roll off the
production line was a Seashell-coloured Volvo S60L. The Volvo S60L is a
long wheelbase version of the Volvo S60 specifically aimed at the
Chinese market and will makes its official debut at the Guangzhou Motor
Show on November 21.
Since the launch of its
China Growth Plan in 2011, Volvo Cars has booked great progress in
China and starting series production in the Chengdu plant is the latest
proof point of this rapid expansion. Growing its business in China and
establishing China as its second home market are important elements of
Volvo Cars' long-term strategy and business plan, as the company aims to
sell 800,000 cars globally.
Sales development in China has been strong this year, with retail
sales so far up over 40 percent compared to 2012. This means Volvo Cars
is growing considerably faster than the market in China. Like in other
key markets around the globe, Chinese sales are driven by the XC60, S60
and V60 models, while the Volvo V40 has also been received very well by
Chinese customers. Volvo cars are currently sold at over 150 dealerships
in China, up from around 100 dealerships two years ago.
The
engine plant in Zhangjiakou has also become operational this autumn and
delivers engines to the manufacturing plant in Chengdu. In total, Volvo
Cars currently has over 2,000 employees in China, around half of which
work at the Volvo Cars China headquarters in Shanghai.
“We
are truly firing on all cylinders in China,” says Lars Danielson,
Senior Vice President Volvo Cars China Operations. “The official start
of series production in Chengdu is only the latest of many milestones we
have achieved in recent years. Helped by our strong product portfolio,
our highly competent organization in China is determined to book many
more successes in the future and the outlook for Volvo Cars in China is
indeed very bright.”
