The stock fell more than 20 percent after the report was released. Samuelsson describes 2025 as one of the most challenging years for the industry, not least for Volvo Cars itself.
It was quite a challenging position. It was really a "wake-up call," Samuelsson says of taking over as the new CEO last spring.
The company reported an operating profit of SEK 1.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025. This was worse than expected. Sales fell 16 percent year-on-year to SEK 94.4 billion. The forecast was SEK 101.8 billion.
Reduced sales
Ahead of the financial year, Volvo Cars has launched the all-electric EX60, an SUV that in its four-wheel-drive version can travel 810 kilometers on a single charge. However, recently released sales figures show a decline. From November 2025 to January 2026, sales fell 7 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.
Samuelsson says the cost program launched in 2025 has had an effect, even though it has been a "painful process." In 2025, Volvo Cars announced that 3,000 jobs would be cut. No new savings packages are in the works, but the company is holding tight to its finances.
We have a chance to enter growth. That is our ambition unless something unexpected happens.
Brighter - despite tariff threats
The company has a good platform for 2026, Samuelsson says.
We closed the year with a positive cash flow.
There are a lot of challenges ahead, including increasing volumes and continuing to ensure cost efficiency. In addition, the company has to deal with an uncertain environment, for example with constant tariff threats from the US.
"It is impossible to know how it will turn out," says Samuelsson.
