Increased Production of XC40 in 2019

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Bob
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Taken from De Tijd (translated using Google Translate):
Good news for the Volvo car factory in Ghent. The production of the most important model, the compact SUV XC40, will be increased by more than half next year, says Volvo CEO Geert Bruyneel.

The orders for the XC40 are running smoothly and the expectations are optimistic. 'That is why we are going to increase the production of the XC40 in Ghent by more than 50 percent next year,' says Bruyneel in a weekend interview with De Tijd. He does not want to stick to concrete figures, but taking into account the current production capacity of just over 100,000 cars, it is an investment of several millions.

Earlier this year it was clear that the success of the XC40 would provide additional production, but now it is clear that these are very decent numbers. Because the Volvo V40 will soon be removed from production, the investment will not provide additional jobs for the time being.

'But it is good news for the factory in Ghent,' says Bruyneel, who has been responsible for Volvo's 11 car plants worldwide since the beginning of this year, accounting for 25,000 employees. At the end of next year, the production of the Chinese hybrid cars from Lynk & Co will also start. Like Volvo, this brand is owned by the Geely Chinese group.

The extra investments will have no effect on employment until 2020, because that is still a transition year, according to Bruyneel. 'But from 2021 the effect of extra volume will be felt, especially if the demand for Lynk & Co is not too bad.'

Volvo will certainly achieve its target to double its production to 800,000 cars by 2020, says 58-year-old Bruyneel. 'During my career, I still hope to exceed the 1 million mark.'

That is also good news for Volvo Cars in Ghent. But Bruyneel realizes that the car sector is facing a revolution, which makes the long term very uncertain. 'The only certainty we have now is that no prediction will come from any car company.'
Ordered 24th February 2018: XC40, FE, T5, Crystal White, Lava Interior (additional black carpets), 19" wheels, mud flaps, Tow Bar, Polestar, was expected June/July, then 1st October.
Finally took delivery on 16th October 2018. 8-)

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