Volvo’s, Other Carmakers’ Eyes on US
Biden’s green-tech offerings so far more attractive for investments than Europe’s idea.

Hybrid Volvo XC40 is one of brand's alternative-fuel models. Its CEO says its next battery plant could be in North America due to attractive U.S. subsidies.
A growing number of automakers may shift investments to the U.S. if the European Union fails to increase aid following passage of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which includes about $370 billion in clean-energy subsidies, Bloomberg reported.
Volvo is the latest manufacturer to signal it could move investments here if Europe doesn’t act, the news service said. Its CEO, Martin Lundstedt, said the new measure will significantly increase demand for emissions-free trucks in the U.S.
"If nothing happens in Europe, we will have to think about where we're going to put the initial investments to scale up capacity for some of the technologies in the value chain," Lundstedt told Bloomberg. "This is not a threat, it's driven by customer demand and where volumes will accelerate."
The European Union’s proposed green-technology measure, intended to help the region compete with the U.S., has so far gotten a mixed reception due to concerns over a trade war and that subsidies would benefit only wealthier countries.
Lundstedt told Bloomberg that the European Union’s earlier message about green technology didn’t impress Volvo as much as the Inflation Reduction Act. He said the measure covers $45 per kilowatt hour of a battery’s production costs, which would “change the equation for customers.”
He added that it wouldn’t be a surprise if Volvo builds its next battery plant in North America, as the act is expected to increase vehicle sales demand there.
DIG DEEPER: Biden Administration Awards $2.8 Billion for EV Battery Production
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
EV Market Humming Along
July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
EV Sales Recover in Q2
The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.
Read More →
The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel
The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.
Read More →
Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground
The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.
Read More →