Five-millionth Volvo car built in Ghent plant in Belgium

Volvo Car Group's plant in Ghent, Belgium, has now built five-million cars since it started operating in 1965. "This is a milestone for the entire Volvo Car Group. Five-million cars is a landmark achievement," says Lars Wrebo, Senior Vice-President
Manufacturing at Volvo Car Group.

The fifth-millionth car was a Volvo V40 D2 that rolled-off the assembly line in Ghent at the end of 2012. The almost 5,000 plant employees got to sign their names on the car.

"Signing off this car is symbolical for our craftsmanship and our teamwork - we, all together, make these cars. The fifth-million Volvo doesn't mark the end of a great history - we continue to play a prominent role within the Belgian economy and we continue to invest in Ghent," says Geert Bruyneel, Managing Director of Volvo Car Ghent.

The Ghent plant has grown into Volvo's largest in terms of the number of cars produced, according to Lars Wrebo.

"Since 2004 production has increased noticeably following our decision to focus production of Volvo's smaller models here. Volvo Car Gent will continue to be a cornerstone of our industrial structure," says Lars Wrebo.

Over the last couple of years, Volvo Car Gent has produced more cars than ever before. 2011 was a record year, when 265,000 cars were built. 2012 became the third best year in the plant's history with 258,000 built cars.

At present three different Volvo car models are built here. The Volvo XC60 was introduced in 2008 and is currently the best-selling Volvo the world over. Since last year the Volvo V40 and its V40 Cross Country variant are also built here. Both models got off to a very promising sales start. The third model produced in Ghent is the Volvo S60, with production starting in 2010.

Posted in: Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,Belgium,Europe,Geert Bruyneel,Ghent Plant,International,Lars Wrebo,Volvo,Volvo Car Ghent,Volvo S60,Volvo V40 Cross Country,Volvo XC60