Volvo S90 Quietly Disappears from the US Market : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

It’s official—the Volvo S90 is now not being imported to the U.S., marking a bittersweet farewell for one of many extra distinct choices within the midsize luxurious sedan phase. Whereas its departure received’t shake up the gross sales charts, it does sign a deeper trade ripple that’s beginning to reshape the best way automakers strategy the American market, notably as tariffs tighten their grip on Chinese language-built automobiles.

Constructed completely in Daqing, China since 2018, the S90 all the time had a little bit of an uphill climb stateside. It was a gradual vendor even earlier than the political and financial local weather turned stormy. Final yr, simply 1,364 models discovered houses within the U.S.—a modest quantity that seemingly made the choice to tug the plug a bit simpler for Volvo. But it surely’s not nearly demand. The true dagger was the latest surge in import tariffs, with the Trump administration’s newest transfer slapping a staggering 125-percent tax on Chinese language-built automobiles. That’s 5 occasions larger than the usual 25-percent tariff and successfully renders the S90 financially unviable on this market.

Volvo, understandably, determined to not combat that uphill battle. As one unnamed insider instructed Automotive Information, “It’s a low-volume automobile for the US. Relatively than cope with [the tariffs], they’re simply going to chop it out.” It’s a practical selection in an more and more unpredictable commerce surroundings. Different producers like Lotus, JLR, Volkswagen, and Audi have additionally began reassessing their U.S. methods, pausing shipments or reevaluating provide chains in gentle of the tariff chaos.

For us at Automotive Addicts, the top of the S90’s U.S. run is especially unlucky. We’ve had the possibility to spend time with a number of S90 press automobiles over time, and regardless of one in all them being plagued with some severe digital gremlins, we genuinely admired what the S90 delivered to the desk. It wasn’t simply one other luxurious sedan—it had character. The lengthy, clear Scandinavian traces, minimalist-yet-warm inside design, and calm, composed driving demeanor made it a standout in a sea of sameness. Whereas the German trio typically dominates the dialog, the S90 whispered as an alternative of shouted—and that was a part of its allure.

With the sedan panorama shrinking and crossovers just like the XC90, XC60, and XC40 persevering with to dominate Volvo’s U.S. gross sales, it’s clear the place the model’s focus lies. The corporate is reportedly reducing incentives throughout its lineup to assist fund future efforts to soak up tariff pressures. Provided that 96.8% of Volvo’s U.S. gross sales are imports, that’s no small feat. It’s a reminder of simply how intertwined world manufacturing and native coverage have turn into—and the way shortly that relationship can affect what we see on dealership flooring.

The S90’s departure might not stir headlines like the top of the Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet Camaro, but it surely issues. It’s an indication of the occasions, the place coverage and pricing are more and more shaping what automobiles get an opportunity to shine. And if the present local weather holds, the S90 will not be the final casualty of this worldwide chess recreation.