Volvo EX30 and Honda Prologue: Two More EVs Discontinued
▼ Summary
– Volvo is discontinuing its EX30 and EX30 Cross Country electric SUVs in the US after the 2026 model year, though they will remain on sale globally.
– Honda’s sole US electric offering, the Prologue SUV, is reportedly being cancelled, with General Motors not ordering a second generation of the vehicle.
– These cancellations are linked to stagnating US EV sales, attributed in part to the Trump administration’s elimination of tax incentives.
– The Volvo EX30’s US launch was delayed and its price increased significantly from its initial announcement due to new tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles.
– Honda is facing major financial challenges in its EV segment, taking a multi-billion dollar write-down, despite publicly disputing reports about the Prologue’s cancellation.
The electric vehicle market faces another significant shift as two more models, the Volvo EX30 and the Honda Prologue, are set to be discontinued in the United States. This move reflects the broader challenges automakers are confronting, including shifting consumer demand and complex regulatory changes. Both vehicles represent casualties of a cooling EV sales environment, largely influenced by recent policy decisions that removed key purchase incentives.
Volvo has confirmed its U.S. division will stop selling the EX30 and its Cross Country variant after the 2026 model year. The compact SUV, initially celebrated as the brand’s most affordable electric offering, will remain available in other global markets such as Canada and Mexico. A company spokesperson emphasized that Volvo’s dedication to electrification is unwavering, pointing to upcoming U.S. models like the new EX60 and an upgraded EX90 as evidence of their continued commitment.
A major hurdle for the EX30 was its final price point, which strayed far from initial projections. When announced in 2023, the starting price was advertised at $34,950. However, its U.S. launch was delayed until 2025, partly due to new tariffs on vehicles manufactured in China. By the time it reached showrooms, the entry price had climbed to $44,900, diminishing its appeal as a budget-friendly option.
The outlook for the Honda Prologue appears equally uncertain. Reports indicate the electric SUV will not see a second generation, effectively ending its production run just two years after its debut. This decision seems to originate from General Motors, which builds the Prologue for Honda in Mexico under a platform-sharing agreement. GM is reportedly winding down production as it reallocates resources toward internal combustion engines and hybrid vehicles.
Honda has publicly challenged these reports, calling them speculative and affirming the Prologue’s current place in its lineup. Despite this stance, the company recently acknowledged severe financial pressure, taking a multi-billion dollar write-down on its EV investments. The automaker declined to comment on how its partner’s manufacturing plans might impact the Prologue’s future, leaving the model’s long-term status in doubt.
These discontinuations underscore the volatile nature of the current electric vehicle landscape. Automakers are rapidly adjusting their strategies in response to economic pressures and policy shifts, leading to a reshuffling of available models for American consumers.
(Source: The Verge)
