The first S90 premium sedans built in China will arrive at a distribution centre in Zeebrugge, Belgium via China’s new ‘One Belt, One Road’ trade initiative.
The swedish luxury vehicle manufacturer has become the first automaker in the world to export China made cars to Europe via recently openend China-Europe railway link. The connection cuts the time taken to transport vehicles to Europe by two thirds compared with the naval route,enabling customers to receive car faster after ordering.
The railway link also illustrates how China is turning into a global manufacturing and export hub for high-end consumer products. Volvo was the first Western car maker to export a premium China-made car to the US in 2015 with the S60 Inscription. In November of last year Volvo started building high-end versions of its S90 premium sedan in Daqing for global exports, and will soon be building all S90 vehicles in the factory for global export.
By choosing rail over sea port the CO2 emissions per tonne/km are reduced by a third. There will be savings in terms of short distance. The Volvo-dedicated trains traveling between Daqing and Zeebrugge carry 225 Volvo cars in specially designed containers. One container holds three cars at different angles in order to maximize the use of space available inside. Special fixtures ensure that the cars are fastened during transport and do not move.
The first S90 sedans will arrive in Zeebrugge on May 31, the same week as China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang visits Belgium. In connection with his visit in the country, Li Keqiang is also scheduled to meet with Volvo Cars’ chairman Li Shufu and CEO Håkan Samuelsson.