Shares in European automakers Volvo Cars and Stellantis surged on Thursday as stronger-than-expected U.S. sales figures alleviated investor concerns that tariffs might dampen demand. The positive performance came despite ongoing worries about higher import duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of his administration's broader push to boost domestic manufacturing. Automakers across the industry have been implementing strategies to mitigate potential tariff impacts, including focusing on higher-margin vehicle segments.

Stellantis reported its first quarterly growth in the U.S. market this year, with new car sales rising 6% in the third quarter. The French-Italian-American automaker's shares climbed as much as 7% following the late Wednesday announcement. The company noted that all of its major brands—Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and FIAT—experienced sales growth during the period, indicating broad-based strength across its product portfolio despite the challenging trade environment.

Volvo Cars similarly posted encouraging results, with shares rising 5% after the Swedish automaker reported a 3% increase in third-quarter U.S. sales. The company's sales composition revealed that non-electrified models continued to dominate its U.S. business, with nearly 70% of September volumes consisting of mild hybrids and other internal combustion engine vehicles. This sales mix highlights how traditional powertrains remain central to the company's American market strategy even as it expands its electric vehicle offerings.

The Swedish carmaker, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding, faces significant exposure to U.S. tariffs since most of its U.S.-bound vehicles are manufactured in Europe. Currently, Volvo produces only its electric EX90 SUV in the United States, but the company has announced plans to begin local production of its popular XC60 plug-in hybrid by the end of 2026. An additional hybrid model is scheduled for production at its South Carolina factory before 2030, representing a strategic shift toward localized manufacturing to reduce tariff vulnerability.

TGS, the Oslo-based energy data provider, has been awarded a significant ocean bottom node (OBN) acquisition contract in the Gulf of Mexico, marking another strategic win in one of the company's core markets. The 4D monitor survey is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will span approximately four and a half months. This contract represents continued confidence in TGS's capabilities from the international oil company client, though the specific customer identity remains undisclosed.

The contract was notably absent from TGS's booked position disclosed in the company's second quarter 2025 presentation, indicating a recent acquisition for the seismic data specialist. The Gulf of Mexico remains a critical region for offshore energy production, and 4D seismic monitoring plays an essential role in optimizing reservoir management and production efficiency for major operators in the region.

Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS, emphasized the significance of securing business from repeat customers, stating that the client values TGS's OBN technology and proven track record of project execution. "The client is confident we will deliver high-quality data and insights to optimize production from one of their highest producing facilities in the Gulf of Mexico," Johansen commented, highlighting the operational importance of the project for the customer's production optimization efforts.

TGS's expertise in OBN technology positions the company as a trusted partner for international oil companies seeking to maximize recovery from existing assets. The 4D seismic approach allows operators to monitor reservoir changes over time, providing critical data for production optimization decisions. This latest contract win reinforces TGS's strong position in the Gulf of Mexico market and demonstrates the ongoing demand for advanced seismic monitoring solutions in mature offshore basins.