The production in Belgium started, ecological bonus or not?

Volvo strengthens its industrial strategy in Europe. The Swedish manufacturer has just started the production of the ex30 in Belgium. A key step to meet local demand and get around commercial barriers.

Volvo officially launched the production of its small electric SUV in its Ghent factory, in Belgium. Until then exclusively assembled in China, in Zhangjiakou, the ex30 will now benefit from European manufacturing to better meet local demand. But especially to avoid customs duties on vehicles made in China.

An ex30 “Volvo« made in Belgium »

Indeed, the production in Ghent intervenes in a context of strong trade tensions: the European Union has established in 2024 punitive customs duties on electric vehicles imported from China. By producing locally, Volvo goes around these measures and ensures better competitiveness on the European market.

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This decision is also part of Volvo’s strategy aimed at bringing together the assembly of its flagship markets in the markets where they are most successful. The ex30, a compact electric SUV, has established itself as the 13ᵉ best-selling electric vehicle in Europe in the first quarter of 2025, in front of the Audi Q4 e-tron or Cupra Born.

According to the Swedish firm, the adaptation of the Belgian factory to the ex30 required an investment of 200 million euros, in particular to install a new mounting chain, modernize 600 robots and develop a line dedicated to batteries. This site already produces EC40 and EX40 electric models, as well as XC40 and V60 hybrids.

Ecological bonus in France: yes or no?

By manufacturing its small electric SUV on European soil, Volvo also hopes that it will be eligible for the ecological bonus on the various markets of the old continent. Starting with France. But it is not won. Indeed, a large part of the parts necessary for the manufacture of the ex30 still come from China.

However, the Volvo XC40 follows the same production method as its little brother and benefits from the bonus on French soil. Nothing has yet been done for the Swedish brand. This boost could have a significant impact on vehicle sales in France. With us, it is not even in the top 20 BEV of the first quarter of 2025.