Volvo’s Top U.S. Exec Says Carmaker Will Proceed With New EVs

A wave of automakers has cancelled plans to produce electric vehicles in the U.S., responding to slow sales of the cars. But Volvo Cars, an automaker owned by China’s Geely Group, is boosting its EV manufacturing plans at its South Carolina plant, a move that could be a model for other Chinese automakers amid a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations.

Next year, Volvo will begin producing its midsize plug-in XC60 SUV in Ridgeville, South Carolina, which already produces the fully electric EX90 midsize SUV. And for the first time, Volvo will release a new hybrid designed for the U.S. market, said Volvo Americas President Luis Rezende.