Next Volvo S60, XC60 Could Be Built In New U.S. Plant

Now that Volvo has announced its new American assembly plant, one of its execs is giving hints as to what models might actually be produced there.

Volvo Cars North America CEO Lex Kerssemakers told Automotive News the new XC90 crossover that’s just about to go on sale won’t be one of the models built.

Instead, Kerssemakers said the South Carolina plant is likely to make Volvo’s best-sellers in North America, which have consistently been the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover this decade. Those models are both set to be redesigned by the time the new plant opens in 2018.

Still, since the next-generation -60 vehicles will share the same modular platform as the new XC90 and use the same basic powertrains imported from Sweden, these plans could change. Also unclear is whether South Carolina will be a hub for production of a certain model.

Volvo’s U.S. plant is tasked with keeping the company’s sales in that market consistently above 100,000 units, considerably higher than the number’s it’s posting now. But with the right product, things could be looking up for Volvo.

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