Photo: Volvo
Volvo officials have recently discussed the future of the Swedish carmaker's compact model lineup, which is going to be made in Belgium. The Ghent factory is going to play host to a number of yet undivulged models built on the newly developed C-segment Modular Architecture (CMA).
The first of these is going to be the all-new V40, which CEO Hakan Samuelsson confirmed would go on sale in 2016.
The V40 is still one of the youngest Volvo models on sale, so it's amazing that they are replacing so early. This could just be an elaborate facelift with CMA-based tech, considering production started in 2013. Volkswagen does similar marketing tricks with cars that aren't based on the MQB, but borrow its tech.
Volvo Cars Ghent, as the facility is called, is already responsible for making the V40. This facility employs 5,000 people and has the highest output in Belgium.
In 2012, they made approximately 260,000 cars, far outpacing the 150,000 Mondeos made by Limburg or Audi's factory in Brussels, which made 120,000 A1 superminis.
The company is also looking to revive the C30, as Volvo's Senior Vice President of Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management admitted. Even though it bears the name of a coupe, this was actually a 3-door hatchback based on the previous Ford Focus and many people praised its qualities.
A compact sedan to replace the S40, which went out of production in 2012, might also be considered. Both Mercedes and Audi are doing extremely well in America with their respective 4-door premium compacts. Even though the A3 and CLA lack many features that are expected, the fact that they start at $30,000 makes them attractive to buyers. We should know more in 2016, when Ghent becomes Volvo's small car production hub.
Via Automotive News
The V40 is still one of the youngest Volvo models on sale, so it's amazing that they are replacing so early. This could just be an elaborate facelift with CMA-based tech, considering production started in 2013. Volkswagen does similar marketing tricks with cars that aren't based on the MQB, but borrow its tech.
Volvo Cars Ghent, as the facility is called, is already responsible for making the V40. This facility employs 5,000 people and has the highest output in Belgium.
In 2012, they made approximately 260,000 cars, far outpacing the 150,000 Mondeos made by Limburg or Audi's factory in Brussels, which made 120,000 A1 superminis.
So what else are Volvo planning to make?
Currently, Volvo doesn't make any other small cars besides the V40 and its crossover derivative. However, the XC40 compact SUV is on its way, scheduled to launch in 2018 and previewed by the XC Coupe Concept, shown above.The company is also looking to revive the C30, as Volvo's Senior Vice President of Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management admitted. Even though it bears the name of a coupe, this was actually a 3-door hatchback based on the previous Ford Focus and many people praised its qualities.
A compact sedan to replace the S40, which went out of production in 2012, might also be considered. Both Mercedes and Audi are doing extremely well in America with their respective 4-door premium compacts. Even though the A3 and CLA lack many features that are expected, the fact that they start at $30,000 makes them attractive to buyers. We should know more in 2016, when Ghent becomes Volvo's small car production hub.
Via Automotive News
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