Volvo to build range-topping S90 sedan in China
Volvo is furthering its deep ties in China by announcing a major expansion to its factory in Daqing that will equip the site to build its future S90 sedan. The automaker is promising to make the plant, "one of the most advanced car making facilities in China," according to its press release. Unfortunately, the company isn't specifying the amount being invested or how long the work will take.
Because the northeastern Chinese city of Daqing owns about 37 percent of the automaker, the location for the significant expansion isn't entirely surprising, especially since Geely owns a majority stake in the Swedish brand. The existing factory there employs about 700 people to build the original XC90 for the local market, but the upgrades will allow the plant to handle Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture modular platform.
To be fair, Volvo doesn't specifically call out the S80-replacing S90 by name in its announcement. However, it promises the first vehicle built in Daqing after the expansion will be a new premium sedan, and the upgrades will allow the plant to make "most innovative vehicles in its product range," and the range-topping sedan is widely expected to adopt the S90 moniker.
"We are fully committed to the growth of our business in China, our second home market," Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars' President and Chief Executive, in its announcement. With over 80,000 estimated sales in China this year, the market is now the automaker's single largest worldwide.
The S90 is part of Volvo's realignment of its naming scheme to its 40, 60 and 90 series, with plans for a sedan, wagon and crossover for each of them. Styling is still a mystery, but the V90 is rumored to take cues from the handsome Concept Estate. Hopefully, some of that fantastic design rubs off on the four-door, too. Scroll down to read the company's full announcement for the expansion.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/11/13/volv ... ing-china/
Een extra commentaar op swedespeedforum: The S90L will also be manufactured in the new factory in Daqing. Currently making the previous P2 XC90 there. To be sold as the XC Classic or XC90 Classic in China. The new SPA XC90 will also eventually be made in Daqing for local markets.
Volvo has also confirmed a more luxurious version of the XC90 will also be launched soon. It has only two rows of seats in order to provide more space in the rear seats. There are only two rear seats and in fact front seats are fitted in the back too. The wheelbase hasnt been extended however. No XC90L as yet or LWB version.
The new plant in Chengdu currently manufactures the S60L and as of this week the XC60 will also be made there.
Daqing (vehicles), Chengdu (vehicles) and Zhangjiakou (engines) are Volvo owned plants run by Volvo staff who have moved there from Torslanda, Ghent or Skovde plants.
Zhangjiakou currently manufactures the 2.5T 5 cylinder and the VEA 2.0 petrol - to supply the Daqing and Chengdu plants.
The plant in Chongqing used to make the P1 S40 and currently manufactures the S80L. The Chongqing Changan plant is a JV with Changan (China car company). (Ford has a JV with Changan for local production of its products).