Volvo can keep selling. That was the worry last week, anyway.
Now they have approval. Specifically, the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) gave Volvo the nod to keep importing “connected vehicles.”
It is a narrow win. The rule is called “Securing the Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain.” It hits hard. Without this carve-out, Volvo would be effectively blocked from bringing most of its cars into the US market.
Why?
Geely. The Chinese holding company owns a majority of Volvo. That ownership structure triggered the red flags. Near the end of his term, Joe Biden put down some iron-clad rules. He wanted to bar Chinese automakers from the US. Software, hardware, cars—all of it got scrutinized.
But Volvo made it through the bureaucracy.
The “Connected Vehicles” rule kicks in for 2027 models and newer. It was supposed to lock out brands with Chinese links. Volvo had to run a gauntlet. They spoke with the Commerce Department. They proved their governance. They showed how their tech works.
The issuance of a specific authorization followed constructive discussions regarding governance, technology, and data safety.
Safe. For now.
They skirted the regulation. The US government accepted their answer. Case by case.
Don’t celebrate too loud yet. Some lawmakers are already pushing harder. In May, Congress introduced a bill that looks less like a screening and more like a ban. A permanent one.
If that passes? Good luck importing anything.
