Here’s the latest in automotive sales and strategy:
Volkswagen Group plans to reduce its vehicle lineup by as much as half and cut annual production capacity as part of a sweeping restructuring effort that reportedly could eliminate about 100,000 jobs. After a July 9 meeting of its supervisory board, the automaker said it will gradually reduce its lineup to focus on its most profitable market segments. The company also plans to lower annual production capacity to 9 million vehicles from the current 10 million. Volkswagen currently offers about 150 model lines across its brands, including Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda and its commercial vehicle division.
Volvo Cars reported global sales of 171,501 vehicles in the second quarter of 2026, down 5.6% from the same period a year earlier as weak demand in China continued to weigh on results. The automaker said retail deliveries improved from the first quarter, driven by strong demand for its fully electric vehicles in Europe and a modest recovery in the U.S. Volvo disclosed the results in a June 2 release.
Range Rover is preparing to introduce a new electric SUV that will replace the Velar as the luxury brand expands its electric vehicle lineup. The crossover, which is expected to debut within the next six months, is intended to compete with the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo EX60. Range Rover also confirmed that a gasoline-powered version will follow. The new model is in advanced testing and marks a significant departure from the brand’s traditional SUV styling, adopting a lower, sleeker profile instead of the familiar high-riding, two-box design.
Strong sales of the Ram 1500 helped Stellantis post its fourth consecutive quarterly increase in U.S. sales despite declines across several of its major brands. Second-quarter sales fell for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Compass, Wrangler and Gladiator, as well as the Dodge Durango. Ford’s Bronco also outsold the Jeep Wrangler for the first time in a quarter since the two SUVs resumed competing in 2021.
Stellantis has begun accepting U.S. orders for the 2026 Fiat Topolino, bringing the all-electric neighborhood vehicle to the American market as FIAT expands into the micromobility segment. The Topolino has a starting price of $13,995 before destination charges. A mandatory $990 destination fee brings the base price to $14,985. The vehicle will be sold in limited quantities through select FIAT dealerships.