Volvo Cars Unveils Major Cost-Cutting Plan Amid U.S. Tariff Pressures
Volvo Cars has announced a sweeping cost-reduction initiative, including job cuts, as it navigates the challenges posed by U.S. import tariffs and weakening demand for electric vehicles.
The Swedish automaker, owned by China's Geely, has retracted its financial outlook for both the current and upcoming year. The company is targeting over €1.6 billion in savings as part of a broad restructuring effort. While the exact number of affected jobs remains undisclosed, the impact is expected to be significant.
This strategic overhaul comes in response to disappointing first-quarter results. Volvo reported a sharp decline in profits and a drop in vehicle sales, largely driven by escalating trade tensions, reduced consumer confidence, and a cooling EV market.
Håkan Samuelsson, who recently returned as CEO after leading the company until 2022, emphasized the urgency of the move. He described the U.S. tariffs as causing "huge disruption" for a globally integrated brand like Volvo.
To mitigate these challenges, Volvo plans to ramp up production at its U.S. plant in South Carolina while absorbing part of the increased tariff costs and passing some on to consumers. The restructuring and cost-saving measures are expected to take full effect in the coming year.