In preparation for the release of the 2016 Volvo XC90 next year, the Swedish automaker announced that it would be adding 1,300 new employees to its Torslanda facility, all of whom would work in the plant’s third shift starting in the first quarter of 2015.
In all, the expansion would boost Volvo’s workforce to about 4,600 at that plant by Q1 2015, marking a significant increase from earlier annual headcounts. It also allows Volvo to make the most out of its new body shop in Torslanda and increase yearly production to a maximum 300,000 units as a short-term forecast and 800,000 units as a long-term projection. Volvo is currently working on an overarching transformation plan in hopes of bringing new life to its roster of vehicles, with this plan costing about $11 billion USD to carry out; the company expects 2014 year-end sales to beat 470,000 internationally, marking a record for the venerable manufacturer.
The 2016 Volvo XC90 was launched in August 2014 with a new basic design and a new grille, among other aesthetic touches. Buyers would be able to choose between a 316-horsepower, conventional gas-powered T6 engine and a hybrid T8 engine that’s capable of producing a combined 395 horses from both the gas engine and electric motor.