Australia‘s biggest automotive manufacturer, Volvo Group Australia, has announced another investment to upgrade its Queensland truck factory at Wacol, near Brisbane.

The announcement came as Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk and Volvo Group‘s global president and CEO Martin Lundstedt opened the company‘s new $30 million Australian headquarters and Brisbane South dealership.

Lundstedt said refurbishment of the Wacol truck plant will enable the group to further increase production, signalling the company‘s strong outlook.

“Our increase in market share towards 27 percent over the past five years, in combination with a strong heavy-duty truck market, makes it necessary to further increase our production capacity,” Lundstedt said.

“In the past five years alone, production at our Wacol factory has increased by 40 percent. Investing in the Wacol factory, not far from our new national headquarters, will help grow our 27 percent market share and give a boost to around 85 local component suppliers.”

Lundstedt said Volvo Group Australia had been making trucks in Queensland since 1972, they employ more than 1500 people across the country, and have produced more than 60,000 trucks from the Wacol factory.

Welcoming the announcement, Premier Palaszczuk said the Wacol plant was a significant part of the state‘s manufacturing base, employing almost 500 people.

“Volvo Group is the only truck manufacturer to be awarded ‘Australian Made‘ certification, and we‘re particularly proud to call them Queensland-made,” Palaszczuk said.

“Their commitment to the State is a vote of confidence in our future and testament to the State‘s economic strength.”

The company‘s new national headquarters, which opened 23 August, accommodates modern offices, a large dealership (selling Volvo, Mack and UD Trucks) and contemporary workshop on a 33,000 square metre site at the Metroplex Westgate business park.

Volvo Group Australia president Peter Voorhoeve said the complex brought together about 200 staff under one roof.

“The new headquarters is an energising space which will inspire our people on to greater things,” Voorhoeve said.

“The main building‘s seven-metre glass hangar door and 12.5-metre atrium were specially engineered to allow heavy vehicles inside, while the central staircase reflects a DNA helix shape linking each level.

“It‘s a beautiful building, but more than that it‘s a tangible demonstration of Volvo Group‘s commitment to its future operations in Australia.”