Last Volvo S60 Rolls Off the Assembly Line

2010 Volvo S60 concept

Swedish manufacturer Volvo goes about its business, despite the fact that its future is yet to be decided, and makes room for the next generation S60, set to enter production sometimes in 2010. The last S60 of the old generation to be produced, a Sapphire Black, five cylinder gasoline engine, will be sent to Taiwan to meet the last owner of the 2008 model year S60.

S60 is one of the longest running Volvo models at the Ghent plant, which built a total of 578,292 vehicles since 2000, with a peak year for the S60 in 2001, when production output for this model stood at 108,906 units (a fifth of the total volume registered in all the other eight years).

"The Volvo S60 was an important model for Volvo Cars Gent. Now we will focus on a flawless launch of the new S60," Derek Jessiman, Volvo Cars Ghent managing director said in a release.

Production at the plant will be halted for the following months, as the assembly lines are being upgraded to meet the requirements of the 2010 Volvo S60. During the coming weeks, rebuild of activities in the welding plant will commence to create space and capacity for the new sedan, going as far as doubling the present capacity of the floor line.

As we reported at the end of last year, the new S60 is hoped to be “one of the strongest players in a segment where the competition is razor-sharp,” as the manufacturer says.

"The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise. The driving properties are better than in any previous Volvo. The car's technology will help you to be a better and safer driver," said Volvo CEO Stephen Odell when the wraps came off the concept last December.