Volvo has commenced series production of self-driving trucks at the previously closed bus factory in Säffle, according to EFN. The move follows years of testing and prototype development in Gothenburg.
"We have reached the limit of our prototype lab. Now, we are transitioning from building prototype vehicles in Gothenburg to entering an industrial system where we can produce trucks with the production quality required by our customers," Cecilia Ekstrom, Product Manager for Autonomous Mining Vehicles at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, told EFN.
Production is taking place in Säffle, which has operated as a service workshop, training center, and spare parts warehouse since bus production was relocated to Poland in 2013. The autonomous initiative is not expected to displace other operations at the facility.
Volvo has already completed its first self-driving truck, and the company aims to manufacture an additional 10 to 20 units next year.
