Volvo Resumes Production at Main Swedish Plant

Volvo Cars resumes production Monday at its Torslanda, Sweden, plant following a brief shutdown related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Production will be adjusted to meet market demand and fill existing orders, the automaker says, noting ongoing but diminishing disruptions in the supply chain.

“In recent weeks, company officials have reviewed every single working station in the Torslanda plant from a health and safety perspective, and where social distancing is not possible, other protective measures have been put in place,” Volvo says in a news release.

The automaker also reopens its Swedish offices Monday. The layout in all meeting rooms, office spaces and restaurants has been adjusted where necessary to allow for social distancing, for example, by ensuring desks are placed appropriately and limiting the number of people allowed in meeting rooms and dining areas.

Volvo’s manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium, also has reopened, but at reduced output.

The company plans to open its U.S. plant in Greer, SC, on May 11.

The engine plant in Skövde, Sweden, and the body component manufacturing site in Olofström, Sweden, will continue to plan their production on a weekly basis and adjust output according to needs in the other plants.

“We have a responsibility towards our employees and our suppliers to restart operations now that the situation allows it,” Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson says. “The best thing we can do to help society is to find ways to restart the company in a safe way, thereby safeguarding people’s health and their jobs.”