Overview
- Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said Wednesday the company would consider making Geely-branded cars at its Ridgeville, South Carolina factory if U.S. regulators clear the way.
- The plant is underused and now builds the Volvo EX90 and the Polestar 3, which leaves room to add more models.
- Barriers in the U.S. are high, with tariffs near 100%, a Commerce rule blocking Chinese connected car tech, and political efforts such as a bill to ban Chinese cars from U.S. roads.
- Separately on Wednesday, Geely chairman Li Shufu confirmed the group will expand abroad by using Volvo plants in Sweden, Belgium, and Slovakia instead of building new factories.
- Geely is leaning on Volvo’s European factories and dealer network to lower costs and speed deliveries as it targets 3.5 million global sales in 2026, including 750,000 outside China.