Volvo XC60 "American": the global bestseller will be produced in South Carolina

Nearly ten years after opening its first American plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina, the Swedish carmaker is announcing a new chapter that unites its industrial strategy and global identity: from 2026, the XC60—Volvo’s best-selling mid-size SUV—will be assembled right there, alongside the all-new electric EX90.

A step that doesn't come by chance. Today, the XC60 is not only the most beloved model among Volvo customers worldwide: it is also the preferred car of Americans who choose the Scandinavian brand. In the first six months of 2025 alone, its sales in the United States grew by 23%, a sign that the balance between Nordic design, safety, and performance is increasingly popular. And it is precisely to respond to this growing demand—and make the "build where you sell" promise even more tangible—that Volvo has decided to bring production back to the driver.

A bet on America

"Bringing the XC60 to Charleston strengthens our presence in the American market and creates new jobs," explained CEO Håkan Samuelsson. The move comes as Volvo celebrates 70 years since its first car was sold in the US and surpasses the 5 million unit mark delivered in the country. These numbers reflect a strong relationship, now more strategic than ever. Because, as Luis Rezende, president of Volvo Cars Americas, also emphasizes, "the XC60 is the right car for this market."

In the US, in fact, over a third of Volvos sold are XC60s. And a quarter of these are plug-in hybrid versions, among the most popular in the premium segment. The Swedish SUV therefore represents a concrete bridge to electrified mobility, a path Volvo is resolutely pursuing—also thanks to the production of the seven-seater EX90, already underway at the same American plant.

Ridgeville, the heart of manufacturing and technology

The Ridgeville plant isn't just an industrial facility. It's a statement of intent. Opened in 2015, it has seen over $1.3 billion invested to make it future-proof: new bodies, updated production lines, flexible technologies, and a sophisticated battery pack production line.

Today the factory produces the EX90 and the Polestar 3. And with the arrival of the XC60, the site is also preparing to welcome its two hybrid variants: mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid, to meet the diversified demands of the American public, increasingly attentive to sustainable solutions but still fond of the flexibility of dual-fuel power.

But behind the numbers and investments are also people. Volvo reaffirms the importance of local labor, enhancing South Carolina's industrial spirit. A concrete collaboration with local institutions, as demonstrated by the official thanks addressed to Governor Henry McMaster.

A global symbol that becomes local

The XC60 is more than a car for Volvo. It recently surpassed the legendary 240 as the best-selling model in the brand's history, with over 2.7 million units on the roads worldwide. Producing it in America today also means bringing it even closer to those who choose it. It means tailoring it to face a competitive market, yet one rich in opportunities for those who know how to listen.

The Scandinavian SUV retains its DNA intact: cutting-edge safety, attention to detail, and understated elegance. But with its new American production cycle, it is preparing to write a new chapter in its history of proximity, sustainability, and growth. Because in today's world, even global cars need to feel "at home."