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Volvo plans new U.S.-built hybrid SUV at South Carolina factory

A new hybrid model is planned to join the XC60 lineup before 2030, as the automaker advances its electrification efforts.

On the Dash: 

  • Volvo will produce a new U.S.-tailored hybrid at its South Carolina plant before 2030.
  • The Ridgeville factory is expanding production alongside the XC60, EX90, and Polestar 3, aiming for full utilization with a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year and $1.3 billion in investments since 2015.
  • Volvo continues its electrification push, while keeping hybrids in the lineup, offering a bridge for U.S. customers who are not yet ready for fully electric vehicles. 

Volvo announced on Friday that it will produce a new hybrid vehicle at its Ridgeville, South Carolina, factory before 2030, signaling a continued push into electrification while keeping hybrid options in its U.S. lineup. The model, tailored to American customers, is expected to be an SUV, following its recent discontinuation of sedans and wagons in the U.S. market.

The Ridgeville plant currently assembles the fully electric EX90 and the Polestar 3. Volvo also plans to begin production of the XC60 at the facility in late 2026, with the new hybrid joining the lineup to help maximize the plant’s annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.

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Few details about the hybrid have been released. Volvo describes it only as a “next-generation hybrid model” designed specifically for the United States. Analysts expect it will likely be an SUV, given the company recently discontinued the S60 and S90 sedans and has narrowed its wagon offerings to the V60 Cross Country and V90 Cross Country.

Volvo has been actively expanding its EV portfolio. In the past year, the automaker introduced two fully electric SUVs: the subcompact EX30 and the mid-size EX90. Volvo prioritizes electrification in its strategy but continues to offer hybrids for customers who aren’t yet ready to transition to fully electric vehicles.

The XC60, one of Volvo’s top-selling models, saw U.S. sales of 21,907 units in the first half of 2025, a 23 percent increase from the same period last year. The upcoming hybrid will join the XC60 in South Carolina, contributing to Volvo’s goal of full utilization at the Ridgeville plant, which has received $1.3 billion in investment since breaking ground in 2015.

Volvo will provide more information on the hybrid’s specifications, pricing, and launch timing in the coming years as it actively expands its presence in the U.S. SUV and electrified vehicle market.

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Ashby Lincoln
Ashby Lincoln
Ashby Lincoln has spent over 7 years at CBT News, where he specializes in marketing and content strategy for the automotive industry. With a sharp eye for digital trends and a deep understanding of dealer communications, he helps shape compelling stories that resonate with retail professionals. Whether crafting headlines or driving long-term brand growth, his work reflects a commitment to clarity, creativity, and performance.

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