The automotive industry continues to face challenging market conditions which are reflected in the sales performance for the three-month period ending April 2026.

Sales in China remain weak, with a steep double-digit decline in overall industry volumes in April, due to intensifying competitive pressure - especially from new domestic entrants - and a challenging macro environment. In the US, deliveries continue to be impacted by record-low customer sentiment, a slower recovery in fully electric and plug-in hybrid car sales following the removal of subsidies, and increased pricing pressure in the SUV segment.

"Under the current circumstances, we are focused on executing our strategy to improve in areas we can control as well as protecting our pricing position in important markets. Our order pace in Europe, our largest region, remains resilient, led by our fully electric cars. Deliveries of fully electric cars have grown in seven consecutive months. This performance is driven by the EX30 and EX40. As we begin first customer deliveries of the EX60 this summer, we will gradually ramp up production of the car, which will drive further growth during the second half of the year. Additionally, in China, we launched the front wheel drive variant of the popular XC70 in April, expanding the addressable market of the car," said Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer.

The company's sales of electrified models - fully electric and plug-in hybrid models - accounted for 48 per cent of all cars sold during the three-month period. Fully electric cars comprised 24 per cent of all cars sold for the period, and plug-in hybrid models accounted for 24 per cent.