Volvo Cars wins U.S. approval to keep importing vehicles with 'connected car' technology

Volvo Cars Volvo EX90, the company's electric SUV, is unveiled during a launch event in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 09, 2022. Anders Wiklund | Afp | Volvo Cars, ​majority owned by China's Geely Holding, said on Tuesday it had received approval from the U.S. government allowing it to continue selling vehicles with Chinese "connected technology" in the country. In January 2025, President Joe Biden's administration finalized rules effectively barring nearly all Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market, as part of a crackdown on vehicle software and hardware from China. The rules included a ban on most Chinese-developed and -maintained software that took effect in March 2026 for the 2027 model year. Lawmakers have proposed making the rules even tougher. Volvo said the Commerce Department gave the company a specific authorization following constructive discussions with government agencies "regarding Volvo Cars' governance, technology and data security." The company added "with this specific authorization, Volvo Cars can continue its growth plans in the United States." The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In September, Volvo Cars said it would begin producing a new hybrid model in the U.S. by the end of the decade. The new model will be designed for the U.S. market and help Volvo boost capacity utilization at its South Carolina plant. …