Volvo US Sales Drop 32% as Inventory Accumulates: The Decline

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      TDS focuses on providing you with the key automotive industry headlines each morning. Updates are condensed into a sentence or two, with links for those who want to explore further.

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      ⬇️ Volvo’s U.S. sales have dropped by 32% in the first quarter, and dealers appear quite frustrated, as reported by Automotive News. “They don’t care about enhancing the brand’s value or increasing transaction prices—it's just ‘take more cars,’” one anonymous dealer shared with the publication, noting that the brand is supposedly sitting on over 90 days of inventory.

      ⛽ Amidst the recent frenzy over gas prices, Ford is now providing gas cards with the purchase of select new models in certain markets, according to CarsDirect. This offer allows buyers to save up to $3,500 on fuel, though it reportedly cannot be combined with other incentives.

      📉 Volkswagen's global sales figures for the first quarter show a decline of 4% compared to last year, primarily due to weakened demand in the U.S. and China, as reported by Reuters.

      🛻 In relation to VW, the American division is aware that competitors are entering the pickup market and has contemplated doing the same, per Autoblog, though there are no concrete plans at this time.

      🤖 Jeep is taking inspiration from the '90s with its new Wrangler and Gladiator Rewind special editions, inspired by an Easter Jeep concept featuring synthwave-style decals reminiscent of the era’s Solo cups.

      🚙 Bentley has announced that the next-generation Bentayga, set for release in 2028, will be a plug-in hybrid rather than an electric vehicle, as it shifts away from its previous goal of introducing five fully electric models by decade's end, according to Autocar. The new Bentayga will utilize a platform shared with the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q9.

      🔧 Stellantis plans to lay off 40 percent of Opel’s engineering staff in Germany, according to Auto News.

      🏁 Weekend Race Results:

      NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol — Ty Gibbs claimed victory for Joe Gibbs Racing.

      NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Bristol — Connor Zilisch triumphed for JR Motorsports.

      NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Bristol — Christopher Bell won for Halmar Friesen Racing.

      WRC Rally Croatia 2026 — Takamoto Katsuta secured the win for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT.

      Formula Drift at Long Beach — Conor Shanahan emerged victorious for Jerry Yang Racing.