Volvo Shifts EX30 Production to Belgium Amid EU Tariffs
Volvo has commenced production of its EX30 electric SUV at its Ghent, Belgium facility, marking a strategic move to assemble key models closer to their primary markets. Previously, the small SUV was manufactured exclusively in Zhangjiakou, China, before being shipped globally.
The decision to add European production capacity for the EX30 was made in October 2023, as the company sought to better meet demand in the critical European region. The EX30 proved to be Europe’s 13th best-selling EV during the first quarter of 2025, outperforming models such as the Audi Q4 E-tron, Cupra Born, and Mercedes-Benz EQA.
The move was validated when the European Union imposed punitive tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, including the Volvo EX30, last year. In response, Volvo planned to reallocate production so that Belgian-built EX30s would be primarily delivered within the EU, thus avoiding the tariffs. Conversely, Chinese-built models would be ramped up in non-EU markets where tariffs were not a concern, such as the UK.
Former Volvo CEO Jim Rowan stated last year that EX30 production would start at the Ghent facility in the first half of 2025 and then ramp up gradually. He noted that in the interim, the company could supply the car to regions not yet affected by tariffs, including south-east Asia and the UK.
Francesca Gamboni, Volvo’s chief manufacturing and supply chain officer, emphasized that the EX30 is “crucial” for the brand’s position in Europe. She added that the model’s production flexibility “contributes to our resilience.”
This strategic shift in production demonstrates Volvo’s efforts to adapt to changing market conditions and regulatory environments in key regions.
