The Swedish automaker will invest $500 million in building a factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The plant, which will produce the latest generation of Volvo models, will have a capacity to initially build up to 100,000 cars per year, according to a press release from Volvo.
Construction on the Berkeley County plant will begin in early autumn 2015, with the first vehicles expected to built in 2018.
Volvo officials say the decision to build its first plant in Berkeley County was made due to "its easy access to international ports and infrastructure, a well-trained labor force, attractive investment environment and experience in the high tech manufacturing sector."
“We're excited to build our first American factory in South Carolina and we look forward to helping grow the local community and economy.” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, in a statement. “We were impressed with the friendliness, work ethic and passion of the people in the Charleston area.”
The announcement is a major boost to the job market in South Carolina.
According to a press release, Volvo estimates the factory will employ up to 2,000 people over the next decade, and up to 4,000 people in the longer term.
The plant is projected to contribute approximately $4.8 billion in total economic output each year, the press release states.
Volvo chooses Berkeley County for first U.S. plant - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports
Construction on the Berkeley County plant will begin in early autumn 2015, with the first vehicles expected to built in 2018.
Volvo officials say the decision to build its first plant in Berkeley County was made due to "its easy access to international ports and infrastructure, a well-trained labor force, attractive investment environment and experience in the high tech manufacturing sector."
“We're excited to build our first American factory in South Carolina and we look forward to helping grow the local community and economy.” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, in a statement. “We were impressed with the friendliness, work ethic and passion of the people in the Charleston area.”
The announcement is a major boost to the job market in South Carolina.
According to a press release, Volvo estimates the factory will employ up to 2,000 people over the next decade, and up to 4,000 people in the longer term.
The plant is projected to contribute approximately $4.8 billion in total economic output each year, the press release states.
Volvo chooses Berkeley County for first U.S. plant - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports
