As part of their broader plan to electrify, Volvo is investing SEK 10 billion ($1.09 billion) in their Torslanda manufacturing plant.
The investment will introduce new sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes to the over fifty year old facility.
These new technologies include a new mega casting technique for aluminum body parts.
In addition, the investment will include a new battery assembly plant, and a refurbishment of Torslanda’s paint and final assembly shops.
Volvo hopes to replicate Tesla‘s success with mega casting. The casting method allows for a single large cast, that is quicker, and more efficient then common casting methods.
Mega casting not only lowers the overall weight of the vehicle but also allows for a versatile and energy-efficient vehicle. For the company, it will also cut down on the complexity of the manufacturing process, which in turn saves on material use and logistics.
The new battery assembly plant will integrate battery cells and the modules into the car’s floor. At the same time, the assembly shop and paint shop are being refurbished with new technology and processes to increase material flow.
This announcement comes after Volvo and Northvolt announced a SEK 30 billion ($3 billion) investment to develop and manufacture battery cells.
Overall, the Torslanda plant improvements aim to upgrade the plant and ensure that materials flow smoothly as the company transitions to EV production. The company did not provide a timeline for the plant upgrades.
