Seventy years ago, Volvo sent a PV444 to the United States with modest ambitions and even more modest features, and few could have predicted how deeply the Scandinavian brand would become embedded in American automotive culture.
Today, Volvo builds the all-electric flagship EX90 right here in the United States, offering seven usable seats with appropriate three-point belts for everyone on board and offering levels of performance that would have sounded unrealistic in the 1950s. This context is important because it shows how seriously Volvo has always taken development in the American market, and we reported extensively on Volvo’s expansion in the United States last year.
Of course, the Swedish brand is also known for building some of the safest cars in the world, with a long list of innovations that eventually became industry standards. From early advances in occupant protection to more comprehensive safety systems to reduce real-world risks, Volvo has always been a key innovator with solutions that later spread throughout the industry.
Local production in the USA is an important part of the brand’s next chapter. Volvo’s decision to assemble the XC60, its best-selling model worldwide, at its South Carolina plant is not only about positioning the brand more competitively against other European luxury automakers that already build vehicles in the United States, but is also a direct response to factors such as U.S. tariffs and a volatile market.
For you as a consumer, this all means better price stability, fewer supply chain disruptions, and vehicles that are more in line with American driving habits. The addition of a next-generation hybrid developed specifically for the U.S. market further underscores this intent. In this anniversary year, Volvo sold its five millionth vehicle in the United States, a testament to how established the brand really is.
Plus, in America you can’t talk about Volvo without talking about station wagons. While station wagons were once common in the United States, it was Volvo that pushed the format into mainstream modernity. Volvo’s first station wagon in the United States was the legendary Duett PV445.
Models such as the legendary 240 and 740 cars became staples because they were practical, spacious and were known to have tank-like build quality. The 850 Estate has redefined expectations by combining real performance with everyday usability, particularly in T-5R form. The V70 R continued this idea, while the XC70 Cross Country showed that a station wagon could handle bad roads and harsh weather without pretending to be an SUV.
Speaking of which from Given their popularity, the announcement that final U.S. orders for the current generation wagon will be taken early next year and production of the Volvo V60 Cross Country will end in April 2026 truly marks the end of a truly glorious era in America. Orders will remain open until the end of January 2026, after which limited inventory is expected. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the end of the line for Volvo wagons, as they continue to be sold in other global markets where demand remains strong.
However, the wagon format does not disappear completely. Interest is clearly returning in the performance sector: the Audi RS6 Avant and the returning BMW M5 Touring are showing real demand, while in the luxury sector the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon continues to have a firm presence. Volvo helped define what station wagons mean to American drivers, and as the company adapts to today’s market conditions, that legacy remains intact.
Images: Volvo
