Volvo Selects Firm to Deliver its First U.S. Manufacturing Plant

AECOM will have overall responsibility for the conceptual design, project design management, environmental permitting management, program/project management, construction management, and start-up and commissioning for the plant and supporting infrastructure.

“Our commitment to the automotive industry dates back to 1928, when one of AECOM’s pioneering companies completed its first design-build automotive project,’’ said Seth Deutsch, Chief Executive, AECOM Industrial Group. “Our expertise in delivering innovative and integrated automotive projects, our adherence to project delivery excellence, and our strong presence in South Carolina, position us well to work with Volvo Cars to successfully execute this project and we are proud to work with Volvo Cars on this important project.”

Upon opening, the Berkeley County, South Carolina factory will be the global production home of the all new S60 Sedan, which is currently under development at Volvo Car Group headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The new facility will have an initial estimated annual production capacity of around 100,000 cars. Located in northwestern Berkeley County on a portion of the Camp Hall site, the plant will manufacture latest-generation Volvo models for sale in the United States and for export. Construction will begin in early fall 2015, with the first vehicles expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018.

Once completed, Volvo Cars will be able to manufacture vehicles on three continents, underscoring its position as a truly global car maker. It already operates two plants in Europe and two in China. Additionally, the new U.S. plant forms part of an ambitious medium-term expansion plan to double global sales, boost market share and lift profitability. Volvo began importing cars to the U.S. in 1955. With the development of an American factory, the company crosses an important threshold from an automotive importer to a domestic manufacturer.