🇺🇸 Made in America: Volvo Shifts XC60 Production to South Carolina

Volvo’s best-seller is packing its bags. Well, sort of.

From late 2026, the mid-size SUV we all know and love — the Volvo XC60 — will be rolling off the line at Volvo’s plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina. That’s right: Sweden’s star performer is getting a Southern accent, at least for the U.S. market.

🌍 A Global SUV with Local Roots

The XC60 has been the heart of Volvo’s global line-up for years. But shipping it from Gothenburg to Georgia isn’t exactly cheap — especially with the U.S. slapping a hefty 25–27.5% tariff on European-built cars. So, Volvo’s doing the smart thing: building the XC60 where they sell it.

No, this doesn’t mean Sweden is saying goodbye. European production continues in Torslanda, but for American customers, your future XC60 will soon be a bit more... local.

🏭 Why Ridgeville?

The South Carolina plant is no stranger to high-tech Swedish metal. It’s already building the EX90 and Polestar 3, both electric, both chunky, both cool. Adding the XC60 to the line-up is part of a broader strategy: regionalise production, lower costs, and dodge geopolitical headaches.

And there’s another perk: jobs. Local production means more opportunities for American workers — something Volvo is keen to highlight as it celebrates 70 years in the U.S. this year.

🔋 A Hint at the Next XC60?

While the press release doesn’t go full teaser-trailer, it does mention that the new XC60 “will feature the next generation of connected services and safety technology.” That could hint at a new infotainment setup, updated ADAS features, or maybe even more electrification — but we’ll have to wait and see.

What we do know: this isn’t just a production tweak. It’s part of Volvo’s SEK 18 billion turnaround plan, which also includes cost reductions, job cuts, and a sharper focus on profitability after a bumpy Q2 2025.

🧠 Strategic or Survival?

Let’s call it both. Tariffs are real. Margins are thin. And in a world where EV launches are being delayed and ICE models still carry the sales baton, moving a top-seller closer to its biggest audience makes perfect sense.

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson summed it up like this:

"Bringing production of the XC60 to the U.S. demonstrates our commitment to the market, enhances competitiveness, and creates jobs.”

Hard to argue with that.

🚙 Final Gear: What This Means

• U.S. customers get locally built XC60s starting in late 2026
• European production continues as usual
• Charleston plant becomes even more central to Volvo’s global strategy
• And yes, your XC60 might soon come with a slight Southern twang

Stay tuned. A new generation of the XC60 is on the horizon — and it’s got American soil under its tyres.