Who makes the engines for Volvo?
Volvo Cars currently designs and produces its own engines, most notably the Drive‑E family, at its Swedish facilities. In the past, Volvo relied on Ford for some engine supply, but today the car maker largely powers its lineup with in‑house developed engines, while Volvo Group (the truck and bus division) runs its own separate engine program.
Engine sourcing: a quick history
Volvo’s approach to sourcing and building engines has evolved with ownership and technology. The high‑level timeline highlights the shift from external supply to in‑house development and ongoing electrification.
- Ford era (1999–2010): During Ford Motor Company’s ownership, Volvo Cars used engines sourced from Ford, including Duratec‑based units, for several models.
- Drive‑E in‑house era (2010s–present): After Geely acquired Volvo Cars, the company developed and began producing the Drive‑E family of 2.0‑liter four‑cylinder petrol and diesel engines in‑house, with production centered at Volvo’s Swedish facilities, particularly the Skövde engine plant.
- Electrification and future powertrains (late 2010s–present): Volvo Cars expanded Drive‑E into electrified variants (plug‑in hybrids and mild hybrids) built around the same modular engine architecture, while continuing to develop next‑generation powertrains internally.
Current engine strategy reflects Volvo Cars’ emphasis on independent powertrains and a clear path toward electrification across its model lineup.
The Drive‑E era: in‑house engines
Central to Volvo Cars’ current approach is the Drive‑E family—a set of 2.0‑liter four‑cylinder petrol and diesel engines designed and produced by Volvo Cars for broad use in its vehicles. These engines are intended to offer efficiency, performance, and compatibility with electrified variations.
What the Drive‑E family includes
- 2.0‑liter turbocharged petrol variants for conventional gasoline models
- 2.0‑liter diesel variants for efficient turbo‑charged applications
- Hybrid configurations that pair the Drive‑E block with electric motors for plug‑in and mild‑hybrid setups
These in‑house engines are paired with Volvo’s transmissions and electrification systems to power most contemporary Volvo Cars models, reinforcing the company’s strategy of self‑contained powertrain development.
Where engines are built
Volvo Cars maintains the core production of its engines in Sweden, with a focus on the Skövde facility. The company also adapts production for key markets, including localized assembly or production arrangements in China to serve local demand.
- Skövde, Sweden — primary production site for Drive‑E engines and related powertrain components
- China — localized assembly/production to support the Chinese market
This structure supports Volvo’s global reach while preserving in‑house engineering and manufacturing capabilities for its core powertrains.
Clarifying Volvo Cars vs Volvo Group
There are two distinct entities often referred to as “Volvo” in the automotive world. Volvo Cars is the Swedish carmaker responsible for Volvo passenger vehicles and, since its acquisition by Geely, has pursued in‑house engine development (Drive‑E) and electrification. Volvo Group, by contrast, is the commercial‑vehicles company that builds trucks, buses, and construction equipment and operates its own Powertrain division to develop and manufacture engines for its heavy vehicles.
Volvo Group’s engines (trucks and commercial vehicles)
Volvo Group develops and manufactures its own engines for trucks and other commercial applications, separate from Volvo Cars’ passenger‑car powertrains. The two organizations share a history and brand name but run independent engine programs tailored to their respective markets.
Summary
In today’s landscape, Volvo Cars predominantly makes its own engines, most notably the Drive‑E four‑cylinder family, with production centered in Sweden and targeted localization for key markets. The company’s shift away from Ford‑sourced powertrains during the 2000s and toward in‑house engineering reflects a broader strategy of self‑reliant powertrains and electrification. For clarity, Volvo Group (the truck and bus arm) maintains its own separate engine program for its commercial vehicles.
For readers following Volvo’s powertrain story, the overarching trend is clear: Volvo Cars is building and evolving its own engines in‑house, while expanding electrified options, and Volvo Group continues to operate its own independent engine programs for heavy‑duty applications.
Do Volvos use Ford engines?
Until 2014, Volvo Cars used some engines of its own and others from Ford. Now, however, the Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) set of engines is found in all Volvo vehicles. This family of three- and four-cylinder engines are entirely designed by the Scandinavian company.
Are Volvo engines good?
Volvo 5-cylinder engines have a long reputation for robustness, unique character, and longevity when maintained properly. Reliability varies by generation, usage, and maintenance history, so the verdict is nuanced: generally reliable, with a small set of known weak points to watch.
Are Volvo Penta engines made by GM?
FORT LAUDERDALE — As it prepares to introduce its next generation of gasoline sterndrive engines, Volvo Penta has reaffirmed its commitment to using General Motors engine blocks.
Does Volvo still make their own engines?
The answer is actually quite straightforward – Volvo makes its own engines. When the company was founded in 1927, its engines were built entirely in-house in Sweden. Since then, it has produced many iconic engines of its own while also using engines from other manufacturers like Volkswagen and Peugeot-Citroën.
