The first EX30 e-vehicles rolled off the production line at the Volvo factory in Ghent on Friday, with Prime Minister Bart de Wever at the wheel of the inaugural model, followed by Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke.
The new model — the fourth in the Belgian factory’s portfolio — is crucial for the future of the country’s last car factory.
The event drew significant attention from both the press and politicians: EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and Ghent Mayor Mathias De Clercq also drove an EX30 off the line.
'A remarkable achievement in challenging times'
“Yes, I drive a Volvo myself,” De Wever stated proudly. “I believe it’s important to drive cars made here, by a brand produced here, and now fully electric. Fantastic! It’s like an iron gliding on the road.”
Originally, the EX30 was only produced in China. However, with European demand accounting for 80% of global sales and to avoid import tariffs, Volvo decided to expand production to Ghent.
“This is a remarkable achievement in challenging times,” Mayor De Clercq remarked. “A very hopeful sign, creating employment for 300 more people. It’s something we can be proud of: Made in Ghent.”
For Ghent, the arrival of the EX30 is more than just an expansion. In the car industry, securing a new model is critical for a factory’s survival. Without new models, work dries up, as evident with Audi Brussels, forced to close its doors following the discontinuation of the Q8 e-tron.
Low CO2 footprint
For Volvo Car Ghent, the EX30 is a major success. This compact electric SUV combines an attractive price point – starting at about €39,000 – with powerful engines and the lowest CO₂ footprint of any Volvo to date. It aligns perfectly with Volvo’s broader electrification strategy.
To enable production, a new assembly line was constructed in record time. A former storage hall measuring 40,000 m2 was transformed into an ultramodern production zone with 580 robots. The investment totalled over €200 million, with €3 million contributed by the Flemish government.
With the EX30, Volvo Car Ghent says it aims to bolster its position as the largest industrial employer in East Flanders and expand further in the electric vehicle market.
