Volvo dealers finally have the brand’s on-again-off-again EX30 subcompact electric SUV in stock. But they may not for long. New and ever-changing tariffs could threaten the model in the U.S. before it gains much traction here.
U.S. President Donald Trump has already enacted 25% tariffs on cars and car parts imported from outside North America. Last week, he threatened tariffs as high as 50% on all products from Europe, later delaying that move until July.
If that increase comes for cars, Reuters reports, it would likely endanger the EX30.
New Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson told the outlet that if tariffs increase, it “would of course be almost impossible” to sell the Belgium-built car to the U.S. He added that he is hopeful the U.S. and Europe will come to an agreement soon.
When Volvo introduced the all-electric EX30, it planned a starting price in the mid-$30,000 range. However, the company planned to build the car in China and export it to the U.S.. When the Biden administration enacted hefty tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, Volvo delayed the car to move production to Europe.
It’s now selling European-made EX30s — data from Kelley Blue Book parent company Cox Automotive show that buyers drove home a little more than 600 of them in April.
But tariffs and production changes have pushed the base price to over $46,000.