Volvo Cars will build a $500 million plant in South Carolina that will eventually employ up to 4,000 people.

The company announced Monday morning that the plant about 30 miles from the Port of Charleston is expected to make about 100,000 vehicles a year, initially.

The company says it expects to employ about 2,000 people at the Berkeley County plant over the next decade. That could grow to 4,000 workers eventually. Volvo has already launched a website for prospective employees.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley planned a news conference later Monday morning to formally announce Volvo's decision.

South Carolina and Georgia had been the two finalists for the plant and Georgia officials said last week that Volvo had decided against building near Savannah. Georgia officials learned of Volvo's decision late last week.

"Georgia’s attempt to lure Volvo’s first U.S. auto plant involved secret recruiting trips, legislation to clear the way for the deal, a united political front and likely the largest economic development package the state has ever offered," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall. The first vehicles are expected to be ready in 2018.

Tags: volvo, South Carolina, Savannah