GÖTEBORG, Sweden –

Volvo Trucks in North America announced Wednesday that in response to increased demand, the company will ramp up production at its New River Valley, Va., plant and recall approximately 700 employees.

Through February, Volvo Trucks determined that it increased its combined U.S. and Canadian retail sales volume 47 percent versus the same period last year.

The ramp-up, which includes adding a second shift and associated recalls, will take place in several stages between May 2 and June 13. Current employment at the plant is just below 1,500.

“Customer response to our products — particularly the fuel-efficiency and performance of Volvo’s new near-zero emission engines — continues to be extremely positive,” noted Ron Huibers, the company’s senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“Combined with the improving economy, this response is helping us continue the momentum we established with our 2010 market share increase,” Huibers added.