Lex Kerssemakers, the CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, speaks Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, near Ridgeville, S.C., during the ground breaking for the company's first auto assembly plant in North America. The company announced that the plant will make its new S60 sedan which is currently under development in Sweden. The first cars are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
The Associated Press
RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Volvo has broken ground on its first auto manufacturing plant in North America, and says workers at the $500 million plant will build a car still being designed in Sweden.
Volvo North America CEO Lex Kerssemakers said Friday that the plant will build the company's new S-60 sedan as well as another model to be announced later.
The plant about 30 miles northwest of Charleston will eventually be capable of making 100,000 cars a year. It's expected to employ about 2,000 workers during the next decade. It will also have a visitors' center so people can see how Volvos are designed, built and marketed.
Company officials said foundation work will begin early next year and the first vehicles are expected to roll off the plant's production line in 2018.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during the ground breaking for Volvo's first auto assembly plant in North America, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, near Ridgeville, S.C. The company announced that the $500 million plant will make its new S60 sedan, which is currently under development in Sweden. The first cars are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
The Associated Press
A Volvo and shovels are displayed at the ground breaking for Volvo's first auto assembly plant in North America, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, near Ridgeville, S.C. The company announced that the $500 million plant will make its new S60 sedan, which is currently under development in Sweden. The first cars are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
The Associated Press
Excavators are seen Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 near Ridgeville, S.C., at the site where Volvo plans to build its first auto assembly plant in North America. The company announced that the plant will make its new S60 sedan which is currently under development in Sweden. The first cars are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018. The site has been cleared and foundation work is expected to get underway early next year. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
The Associated Press