Since 1965 Volvo Car Corporation assembles cars in Ghent, Belgium. Initially Volvo Cars Gent had only a Trim and Final assembly department, but in 1972 a welding plant and a body shop were added.
The first car to be produced in Ghent was the Volvo Amazon (P120).
The production of the Volvo XC60 will start in 2008 and is produced here.
Volvo Cars Gent is one of the largest employers in the Belgian province Oost-Vlaanderen (Eastern Flanders).
Output 2007:
240,192* Volvo cars. The distribution is sedans: 39 %, estates: 39 %, C30: 22%.
*only cars allocated to the market
Cars produced 2007:
Volvo S40 - 54,084, V70* - 33,574, V50 - 60,033, S60 - 39,312, C30 - 53,189
*The production of Volvo V70 in Ghent ceased in 2007
Major markets:
North America (USA + Canada + Mexico) 19.5 %, Europe 65.2 %, Far East 5 %, Russia 4.9 %
Employees: 4,110, 31 December 2007
Total surface/Built up surface:
475,000m2 /233,000 m2
Awards and certificates:
1999 Total Quality Award, Operational Units
1991, 1996, 1999 TPM World Class Award
ISO 9001/14001
2003/2005 Best Employer Belgium
2003/2005 Award for Lifelong Learning, Europe
2005 VCC Centre of Excellence Award
Managing director:
Derek Jessiman as of 1 May 2007
President of the board:
Magnus Hellsten Senior vice president Manufacturing Volvo Car Corporation
PR & Communications:
Mark De Mey, +32 9 250 27 31, mdemey@volvocars.com
Postal address:
PB 273
B9000 Gent
Belgium
Visiting address:
Kennedylaan 25
B9000 Gent
Belgium
