Volvo Cars is making strides towards becoming an entirely electric vehicle (EV) brand by 2030. The company has shared plans to establish a new “Tech Hub” in Krakow, Poland, which will serve as a key software development centre for the automaker’s EV technology.
The new hub will be responsible for developing complete key features for new EVs, including core safety, perception, driver assistance, and autonomous driving capabilities. The automaker is aiming to attract top talent globally to fill the expected 120 initial positions, with plans to expand the team to between 500 and 600 staff by mid-decade. The company believes that Krakow, an emerging tech magnet with a large existing telecom sector, offers an untapped talent pool and a strategic location to become a global leader in new EV technology.
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As the market for EVs grows, automakers are looking to gain a larger segment of the market by delivering cars and trucks that are more technologically advanced than their competitors. The new generation of Volvo cars will be designed to be updated over the air with new software, and the company intends to lead by example in promoting electrification and becoming a global leader in new EV technology.
“We’re a purpose-led and technology-driven company, so our new generation of Volvo cars will be more than just transport. They’ll be computers on wheels, designed to be updated over the air with new software. That means our Krakow tech hub and growing our in-house software development capabilities are key to our future success.” said Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan
See also: Volvo’s All-Electric EX90 SUV Set for Q4 Production in South Carolina and China
Despite facing supply chain disruptions, Volvo Cars remains confident that its EV sales growth will continue. The company’s current EV lineup saw more than double sales in 2022 alongside record-setting revenues, and it is banking on the upcoming EX90, which its maker is hailing as the “safest vehicle it has ever produced,” to truly bolster global sales. As the industry shifts towards software-defined vehicles, the new Tech Hub in Krakow and its engineering staff are key to Volvo’s future success.
