Gothenburg is the home of Volvo and the automotive capital of Sweden. Here we have the entire vehicle value chain, unique test environments and world-class expertise.
With a focus on innovation, sustainability and co-creation, Gothenburg has established itself as one of Europe's most dynamic automotive clusters. Global companies are investing large sums in R&D and facilities in the region, and strategic partnerships are forming. China’s Geely, for example, is developing a new 100,000 sq metre innovation centre with space for 3,500 people. The Volvo Group is collaborating with private and public actors, and testing entirely electric and emission free buses in the city's public transport system. Meanwhile, Volvo Cars is moving forward with self-driving technology and electrification, and aims to lead the way in a rapidly transforming industry.

One of the Volvo Group's electric buses which is being tested in Gothenburg as part of the collaborative project ElectriCity. Photo: Volvo Buses
Citat"The automotive industry is undergoing great transformation, with Gothenburg claiming leading positions in many areas such as electrification, autonomous technology, safety and connected vehicles."
With around 30,000 direct employees, Gothenburg’s automotive industry is one of the world’s most knowledge-intensive, per capita, when it comes to vehicle development. Gothenburg also has a large and mobile workforce including nearly 30,000 technology and IT consultants, and world-leading clusters in mobile data transfer, telematics and programme development.
The region is home to OEMs Volvo Cars, the Volvo Group, CEVT and Polestar, as well as major and specialist subcontractors and suppliers including SKF, Veoneer, Zenuity, Semcon, Ericsson, HCL and Brose.
Citat“There aren’t many places in the world where you can go from idea to finished product in the same way as you can here. We have the entire ecosystem for building vehicles - from small vehicles to heavy transport - gathered in a small area. And that’s one of our biggest strengths.”
Another of Gothenburg’s strengths is its various platforms and arenas for development and testing. Lindholmen Science Park, for example, acts as a platform for cross-disciplinary and cross-industry projects and connects actors from the private, public and academic sectors. Just a few of its initiatives include Test Site Sweden, developing test and demonstration environments for sustainable transport; Telematics Valley, working with vehicle-related telematics; and Vehicle ICT Arena, gathering actors in the field of automotive IT.
A further asset for R&D is AstaZero, located just outside of Gothenburg. The facility is the world’s first full-scale test environment. Manufacturers, suppliers and academia can literally test and certify their products in all kinds of traffic environments and scenarios.
Resources & support
Here is a just a small sample of the platforms and arenas that are part of our automotive innovation ecosystem. Please contact us if you would like more information.
MobilityXlab is a platform founded by Autoliv, Ericsson, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group and Zenuity. Later CEVT also joined. Here startups and companies are offered working space and direct contacts with the founding companies to jointly develop solutions for future transportation.
Vehicle ICT Arena offers an open environment for innovation and human resource and succession management in vehicle IT that helps secure Swedish competitiveness in sustainable and safe mobility. Run by Lindholmen Science Park.
Telematics Valley is a neutral organisation that supports and strengthens the regional development of companies and technology in the field of telematics.
SAFER, the Vehicle and Traffic Safety Center, is an organization that acts as a hub for vehicle and road safety research in real traffic environments.
Swedish Electromobility Centre (Svenskt Hybrid Centrum - SHC) is a national Centre of Excellence for e-mobility. SHC unites Sweden’s expertise and is a node for interaction between academia, industry and society.
AI Innovation of Sweden is a new national centre for AI-related research and innovation, involving partners from industry and academia, where teams will have the opportunity to co-locate and share ideas, data and resources.
Cluster analysEs 2018
A mapping of the automotive cluster in Gothenburg Region.
Cluster analysis Automotive 2018
A mapping of the electromobility cluster in Gothenburg Region.
Cluster analysis Electromobility 2018
We are here to help
If you are considering establishing, investing or innovating in the region, our industry experts can provide you with information, contacts and advice. Contact us today.
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Joel GörschPhone
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Per ÖsterströmPhoneCompanyCompanyBusiness Region Göteborg
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