Shanghai (ZXZC)- On February 21, Volvo Cars held the foundation-laying ceremony for the fourth phase of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai, according to a post on Volvo Car Group's WeChat account.

Photo credit: Volvo Cars

The Asia-Pacific headquarters campus of Volvo Cars was put into operation since 2019, covering a total land area of approximately 200,000 square meters. Key structures within the campus include the Asia-Pacific headquarters building, design center, and R&D center. The ongoing fourth phase of development serves as a progressive extension of the campus, maintaining the distinctive Scandinavian design style. This expansion aims to empower Volvo Cars in the Chinese market by establishing the China Battery Center and Training Center, contributing to the brand's continuous development, electrification transition, and talent ecosystem construction in China.

Volvo Cars' Asia-Pacific headquarters; photo credit: Volvo Cars

The ongoing expansion of Volvo Cars' Asia-Pacific headquarters signifies a strategic move towards a more integrated value chain. This development not only showcases Volvo's systematic approach to construction but also plays a vital role in sustaining the brand's growth in China and globally, said Volvo Cars.

At the core of the fourth phase lies the Battery Center, a vital project for Volvo Cars' Asia-Pacific headquarters. As part of Volvo's comprehensive efforts in electric vehicle technology, this center aims to provide crucial technical support for the electrification transformation through cutting-edge battery, electric motor, and electronic control technologies. The upcoming Volvo Cars China Battery Center will cover the entire battery value chain, from after-sales maintenance to material recycling, enhancing Volvo's battery services throughout the product lifecycle. Additionally, the Battery Center is poised to address supply pressures on limited minerals and rare metals, strengthening Volvo's commitment to sustainable and resilient supply chain management in the pure electric vehicle era.

Another cornerstone of the fourth phase is the Volvo Cars China Training Center. Recognizing the pivotal role of talent development in the electrification transition, this center serves as a crucial guarantee for Volvo's development strategy in China. The new training center focuses on enhancing the capabilities of both employees and dealers, creating an immersive and sustainable creative space. Through forums, workshops, and seminars, Volvo aims to foster a comprehensive talent pool across the value chain, covering design, R&D, sales, and after-sales services.

In the fiercely competitive landscape of the Chinese new energy vehicle market, Volvo Cars understands the need for continuous enhancement of corporate capabilities and business partner skills in the electrification process, said the automaker. The new training center will leverage innovative training methods and advanced facilities to intensify training in areas such as product knowledge, electrification, and new energy vehicle maintenance, reinforcing the brand's marketing and technical talent cultivation and retention.

Notably, Volvo Cars' Asia-Pacific headquarters has been powered by 100% clean energy since January 1, 2022. To further expand its clean energy generation capacity, the rooftops of the China Battery Center will be equipped with solar photovoltaic panels.