Volvo Begins Production of V90 Estate in Torslanda
The first customer Volvo V90 estate has rolled off the Torslanda line, marking another step in the brand’s product overhaul and Swedish plant expansion.
Volvo has started series production of the V90 estate at its Torslanda plant in Sweden, adding the premium wagon to a line-up that already includes the S90 saloon and XC90 SUV on the company’s scalable product architecture (SPA). The first customer car was completed in late June 2016, only weeks after the S90 began production at the same facility.
Third SPA model joins Volvo’s line-up
The V90 is the third model to use Volvo’s in-house developed SPA platform, following the XC90 SUV and S90 saloon. The modular architecture underpins Volvo’s current strategy to modernise its range, improve production efficiency and support a variety of powertrains. The V90 made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier in 2016, with production now underway for customer deliveries.
The Torslanda plant has seen rapid expansion to support the new model programme. According to Volvo, staff numbers have almost doubled in two years to around 6,300, with approximately 1,000 engineers hired over the same period. The investment is part of a wider transformation plan that began in 2010 and includes new product architectures, engine families and manufacturing upgrades.
Impact on Volvo’s product strategy
Volvo’s renewed estate car is central to its ambition to grow global sales. After passing 500,000 units worldwide in 2015 for the first time, the company has set a target of 800,000 cars annually. The V90’s launch supports this goal by broadening Volvo’s premium offering, particularly in markets with strong demand for estate models.
The V90’s arrival follows a full overhaul of Volvo’s large car line-up, with the S90 and XC90 already established on the SPA platform. The company expects the modular approach to simplify production and allow faster introduction of future models.
What it means for Torslanda and staff
The ramp-up for the V90 has brought further job growth at Torslanda, reflecting Volvo’s commitment to building its flagship models in Sweden. The plant’s increased capacity and workforce are expected to support the brand’s global expansion plans over the next several years.
For more on the V90’s debut, see Volvo V90 Estate Makes Public Debut at Geneva Motor Show.
