Volvo Blog
Geneva 2010: Volvo S60 could be Swede salvationFiled under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Volvo, Luxury
2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery
American automakers are streamlining, big time. But we're looking at a Swedish car. In Switzerland. So what does this have to do with Detroit? Well, a lot. But not for long. Volvo's about to change hands from Ford to China's Geely, and (like fellow Swedish automaker Saab now under Spyker's wing) if it's going to survive, it'll need a solid product. This could be it.
Previewed in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version of the new Volvo S60 made its debut here at the Geneva Motor Show. A few details inevitably had to change on the bumpy road from concept to production, among them the anteater nose of the show car which was thankfully reshaped due to pedestrian impact requirements. And when it comes down to it, that's what Volvo's all about: safety. So it comes as little surprise that the new S60 also debuts the company's new Collision Warning system that will, if necessary, fully engage the brakes.
The S60 makes its debut in T6 guise, packing a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. More engines will be on offer worldwide once new S60 car reaches the market over the course of the coming months, but you can check out our live shots right now, and the full details in the press release below the fold.
Live Photos: Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading Geneva 2010: Volvo S60 could be Swede salvation Geneva 2010: Volvo S60 could be Swede salvation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: Naughty Volvos headed this way?Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Volvo 
March 2, at the Geneva Motor Show, Volvo is promising us "naughty" cars. We have no idea what they have in mind - Sinful sedan? Evil estate? Headstrong hatch? Your guess is as good as ours, but as the video shows, there will be an S60 involved somehow. We hope that lucky gold feline comes along for the ride, too. Follow the jump to check out the teaser. Hat tip to Matthew
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading VIDEO: Naughty Volvos headed this way? VIDEO: Naughty Volvos headed this way? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: 2011 Volvo S60 driven by drifter-for-hire Sam HubinetteFiled under: Sedan, Videos, Volvo
It has been a very long time since Volvo has introduced an all-new sedan. Actually, the last all-new Volvo sedan was the S80, a model that debuted back in late 2006. That explains why we've been seeing the continuous unveiling of the new-for-2011 S60 over the past year, even though the official unveiling in Geneva is still over a week away.
To get prospective buyers primed up for the new S60, Volvo has launched a myriad of video teasers and pics of the highly anticipated midsize offering. The newest 90-second video includes drifter extraordinaire (and one-time Volvo test driver) Sam Hubinette as he takes the S60 off the beaten path and onto some fun-looking sand. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself. We were already interested in trying out the 300 horsepower, 325 pound feet of torque T6 S60, and this video has done little, if anything, to quench that thirst.
[Source: Volvo via YouTube]Continue reading Video: 2011 Volvo S60 driven by drifter-for-hire Sam Hubinette Video: 2011 Volvo S60 driven by drifter-for-hire Sam Hubinette originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Volvo will build an Electric C30 test fleet, but no word on public salesFiled under: Hybrid, Europe, Government/Legal, Technology, Volvo, Electric 
Volvo C30 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Volvo has not made any official determination whether or not to sell its Electric C30 in the U.S. or Europe, says the automaker. However, the company will build a 50-vehicle test fleet for use in Sweden. Each of those vehicles, highly instrumented and fitted with telematics, will feed data back to the company's research group for analysis. The company has the capacity to build more than 50 cars, but no decision to expand production has been made at this point.
The automaker also discusses the difficulty in meeting EU regulations (CO2-focused) vs U.S. regulations (emissions-focused). While consumers have been receptive to environmentally-friendly powertrains, Volvo would be required to build unique platforms for each market - a cost U.S. consumers are not willing to bear at this point.
UPDATE: Volvo contacted Autoblog to clarify the number of Electric C30's that will be built for testing, where the vehicle would be sold, and its reasoning for not bringing the vehicle to the U.S. in the near future. The article has been updated to reflect this new information.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]Report: Volvo will build an Electric C30 test fleet, but no word on public sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSpy Shots: Volvo V60 spotted doing the cold weather thingFiled under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Volvo 
Volvo V70 - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've just seen the 2011 Volvo S60 in all its production glory, and hot on the heels of that, we've got some snaps of the wagon version undergoing winter testing. Volvo's array of offerings have always included wagons. Safe, stolid Swedish Estates are a big part of what built the brand, and that's why the V50, V70 and XC70 are rockin' the two-box in Volvo's current lineup.
Since the V70 moved up to share the S80's underpinnings, there's been a midsize-wagon shaped hole in Göteborg's showrooms. Sure, the V50 is there on the compact end of the spectrum, but it's often not quite big enough. The V60 snapped in these photos aims to change all that. Targeted directly at Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring, and likely carrying all the wily charms the Volvo has been showing off lately, Volvo's latest estate looks to be capable of heating up even a Nordic winter.
Spy Shots: Volvo V60 spotted doing the cold weather thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVolvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFiFiled under: Chicago Auto Show, Technology, Volvo 
In-car entertainment turned it up another wireless notch at last week's Chicago Auto Show when Volvo showed off "the industry's first Internet connected Rear Seat Entertainment System with Windows XP, WiFi and a 500G hard drive."
Officially, it remains a test-bed study for the moment, but the idea is that you can do everything on a rear headrest touchscreen that you can do on your home computer. You can also plug your computer into the car and load the XC70's system with your own music and video to keep things quiet in the back row. While it's officially only in the 'conceptual phase,' we have it on very good authority that the system will be available in 2011 Volvo XC60 and XC70 models beginning this summer.
Follow the jump for Volvo's take on the RSEi-500 setup, and be sure to get ready for Geneva, where Volvo will reveal an XC90 with a crappy rolling chair, a cubicle and a water cooler.
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading Volvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFi Volvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideos: 2011 Volvo S60 gets driven, animated and crashedFiled under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Volvo 
2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2011 Volvo S60 is ready for its close-up at next month's Geneva Motor Show, but before the shindig in Switzerland kicks off, Volvo has released a slew of videos showing off the automaker's newest midsizer.
Aside from some quiet B-roll and a cheesy rock soundtrack, Volvo has demonstrations of its new Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake system, which can identify a pedestrian that's 31 inches or taller through the use of a front-mounted radar unit and mirror cameras. If it detects an imminent collision, the system applies the brakes and brings the S60 to a halt. The animations after the jump get into the nitty gritty, along with a shakedown of the system in Paris from the camera's point-of-view and a crash test of the S60. More details coming from Geneva in less than a month.
Continue reading Videos: 2011 Volvo S60 gets driven, animated and crashed Videos: 2011 Volvo S60 gets driven, animated and crashed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva Preview: 2011 Volvo S60Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Volvo 
2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2011 Volvo S60 is set to make its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show, and as expected, the automaker's newest midsize offering remains true to the concept that bowed in Detroit last year and comes packing a formidable blend of tech and safety features.
The images in the gallery below speak for themselves, but with a sloping greenhouse and a pedestrian-safe front end, the all-new S60 certainly packs more presence than the outgoing model. A wagon variant is expected to arrive in Europe later this year, but Stateside consumers likely won't get a crack at the five-door model.
Compared to its predecessor, the S60 grows by one inch to 182.2 inches overall, with a 109.3-inch wheelbase (up by 2.3 inches over the last generation) and a one-inch widening up front, along with 1.7-inch stretch in the rear. All told, the S60 is less than 100 pounds heavier than the outgoing model.
Power will be provided by a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six putting out 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with maximum twist available at 1,500 rpm. Coupled with a six-speed automatic and a Haldex all-wheel drive system, the S60 T6 AWD will run to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and top out at 155 mph. Expect the front-wheel drive model to debut alongside the wagon late in 2010.
European consumers will have their choice of a turbo'd and direct injected 2.0-liter four-pot, along with a diesel and a dual-clutch gearbox. There's also talk of the S40's turbocharged 2.5-liter (T5) making its way underhood later in the S60's lifecycle, which should be good for 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.
Three separate suspension systems will be available: Base, Dynamic and Four-C Adaptive. Dynamic will be optional and use stiffer springs and bushings, combined with retuned dampers and thicker piston rods, with the Four-C setup utilizing Volvo's new adaptive damping system.
Naturally, safety isn't left out of the package, and with the S60, Volvo has incorporated it's newest system - Pedestrian Detection - which utilizes the City Safety crash avoidance system, a front-mounted radar unit and mirror cameras to detect pedestrians over 31 inches tall and apply the brakes to prevent a collision.
All the details are available in the press release below the fold and expect a slew of videos later today showing the new S60 in action.
Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2011 Volvo S60 Geneva Preview: 2011 Volvo S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Volvo helping to develop new material that could be both battery and bodyworkFiled under: Hybrid, Technology, Volvo, Electric 
Battery bodywork prototype material - Click above to watch the video after the jump
How much will a plug-in vehicle's battery weigh in 2020? How much will the same car's bodywork weigh? If a new prototype material developed by researchers in the Imperial College London in the UK turns out to be as good as it sounds, the answer to both of these questions, whatever the value is, might one day be the same.
The reason for this is that the material is a new type of battery that could be strong and light enough to pull double duty as body components and can store and discharge electrical energy. It is being developed for use in cars, where it could bring about a weight reduction of about 15 percent, as well as for other things like cell phones and computers. There is a video of project coordinator Emile Greenhalgh, from the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London, describing the material after the jump.
Sure, any vehicle powered by this material is a long way away, but it's always fun to imagine what's possible some day in the future. Considering that the Volvo Car Corporation is partnering with the Imperial College on this project, we can imagine that the 2020 S80 DRIVe might be made out of this stuff, right? Thanks to Jon for the tip!
[Source: PhysOrg]Continue reading Video: Volvo helping to develop new material that could be both battery and bodywork Video: Volvo helping to develop new material that could be both battery and bodywork originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Volvo teases 2011 S60 with footage that shows first glimpse of interiorFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Videos, Volvo 
We're waiting for an official word about Volvo's supposed sale to Geely, but before the Swedish baton is passed, the show must go on. The original S60 was nearly a decade old before Volvo wound down production, and the new car is on the cusp of being unveiled, likely at the Geneva Auto Show next month. We've seen shots of the new S60's exterior, and the evolutionary changes have us wanting to get our paws on the latest bread-and-butter Volvo sedan. Now we've got a teaser video to whet our appetites further.
Volvo's latest tease shows some sort of bluetooth-headsetted secret agent tearing along in a tunnel and then zooming around in the desert. Most importantly, though, we see a few glimpses of the interior. We don't get to see much, and what we do see looks very much like what you'd expect from the Swedes - from the seats, to the pictogram HVAC controls, to the gauges - it's Volvo's signature style inside. Two more videos will be coming on February 9th and 17th, at which point we'll likely start agitating to get one in the Autoblog Garage. In the meantime, jump for the video.
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading Video: Volvo teases 2011 S60 with footage that shows first glimpse of interior Video: Volvo teases 2011 S60 with footage that shows first glimpse of interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVolvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDiFiled under: Technology, Volvo 
Volvo 2.0-liter GTDi engine - Click above for high-res image gallery
Direct injection and turbocharging go together like peanut butter and jelly. Abbot and Costello. Brett Favre and protracted retirement negotiations. And it's easy to understand why. Few of us seem willing to give up performance in the name of fuel efficiency and the combined efforts of these two technologies squeeze both extra ponies and extra mileage out of a small-bore powerplant.
Volvo's first Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) engine will displace 2.0 liters and will offer up 203 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque at just 1,750 RPM (plus an overboost function unleashing another 15 lb-ft for short bursts). Volvo will first use the new mill in its European S80 sedan, to be followed closely by the V70 and XC60 models.
The new GTDi engine also features variable valve timing on both camshafts, further improving efficiency, and it will be offered with either Volvo's dual-clutch fully automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. We fully expect Volvo to eventually offer this new powerplant in the United States as a replacement for its aging 2.5-liter inline-five. Click past the break for the official press release.
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading Volvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDi Volvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDi originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRumormill: Ford to sell Volvo to Geely for 1.8 billion on Feb. 8Filed under: China, Europe, Volvo, Rumormill, Geely 
See you in Shanghai - click above for high-res image gallery
With all the Saab hullabaloo clogging up the virtual pipes as of late seems that folks have been neglecting the fate of the other fancy Swedish brand purchased by a pipe-dreamin', pie in the sky American car maker whose coffers were overflowing with SUV money. That's right, Ford purchased Volvo in 1999 for $6.45 billion dollars. Many scratched their heads at the time, as Mercury and/or Lincoln certainly could have used a $6 billion infusion. Also, both Mercury and Lincoln compete with Volvo, on paper at least. But, just like General Motors purchased Saab, Ford had their Swedish brand.
In retrospect, probably not the best idea ever hatched.
Proof? Rumor has it that Ford is inking in the details of a sale of Volvo to China's Geely Holding Group Co. for $1.8 billion by February 8. That's a nearly $4.7 billion bath on Ford's part in just eleven years. But here's the thing: according to the same rumor, Ford might let Volvo go to Geely for as little as $1.6 billion. There's a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo still to be worked out (this agreement runs out after one year, that regulatory board must approve X in a timely fashion) but it's looking more and more that Volvo is about to become a Chinese company. We'll keep you posted.
[Source: Trading Markets]Rumormill: Ford to sell Volvo to Geely for 1.8 billion on Feb. 8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Volvo C70 priced from $39,950 with more standard featuresFiled under: Convertible, Coupe, Volvo 
2010 Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Do you know anyone who owns a Volvo C70? We don't either. The hard top convertible hasn't been a strong seller here in the U.S. since it was introduced in 2008, but Volvo is trying to do something about that for the 2011 model year. For starters, Volvo gave its lone convertible offering a nice refresh, with a new front end in the mold of the XC60 and S60 and new, higher-end taillamps. The even better news is that Volvo has improved the C70 while at the same time offering more bang for the buck.
The 2011 C70 will start at $39,950 ($40,800 with $850 destination charge). That's a mere $50 cheaper than the 2010 model, but Volvo says it added $4,000 in standard features to sweeten the pot. Among the newly standard equipment is a five-speed automatic transmission, Sirius satellite radio and Sovereign Hide leather upholstery. Cranberry leather can replace the Sovereign Hide leather upholstery at no charge. Other changes include a new, wider instrument panel with gauges that are unique to the C70.
The 2011 C70 will retain its 2.5-liter turbo five cylinder engine with 227 horsepower. Hit the jump to read over the Volvo press release.
[Source: Volvo]Continue reading 2011 Volvo C70 priced from $39,950 with more standard features 2011 Volvo C70 priced from $39,950 with more standard features originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsDetroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV silently motors into the Motor CityFiled under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Volvo, Electric 
Volvo C30 EV Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
As expected, Volvo brought along an all-electric C30 hatchback concept to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. While this isn't a production vehicle at this point, Volvo says the car is a fully drivable prototype with a complete interior, full instrumentation, and enhanced battery packaging.
We made our way down to Volvo's area here at Cobo in Detroit to check the battery-electric C30 out for ourselves, and honestly we came away impressed. As Volvo says, the C30 EV is a complete package with little evidence that it's not a production model. See for yourself in our high-res gallery of live images below.
Detroit 2010: Volvo C30 EV silently motors into the Motor City originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Swedish govt to meet with GM, Ford to discuss Saab and Volvo next weekFiled under: Ford, GM, Saab, Volvo 
Sell Saab Rally in Detroit - Click above for high-res gallery
Since the day talks between General Motors and Koenigsegg broke down in late November, Saab has walked the Green Mile about a half-dozen times. Spyker stepped in, Spyker stepped aside, GM "officially" announced Saab was winding down as of the end of 2009, Spyker stepped back in and GM pushed the (renewed) negotiation deadline to January 7 only to later call the date "soft." With the newest (and likely final) end date looming on the horizon, The General now has some Swedish guests for still more talks on the hard luck brand.
Reuters is reporting that representatives from Sweden's finance and industry ministries are meeting next week with the General to discuss Saab. State secretary Joran Hagglund reportedly told Reuters that the Swedish government wants to "make sure they (GM) have all the information they need." Hagglund added that GM has not completely closed the door on Saab, intimating that there could yet be some hope for clemency or perhaps a deal. We're not exactly sure what information the Swedish government has that the General may need, but since there are 3,000 Swedish jobs hanging in the balance, we're guessing this last-minute trip is probably a good idea - if only to make sure no stone is unturned.
While the Swedish government is in the Motor City it also plans to stop by Dearborn and grab some talk time with Ford Motor Company. Ford is in the final stages of selling the Swedish automaker Volvo to Geely, and the country's officials evidently want to take a look underhood at the proceedings.
Photos by Chris Paukert/Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Reuters]Report: Swedish govt to meet with GM, Ford to discuss Saab and Volvo next week originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsU.S. Volvo dealers interested in selling Geely models?Filed under: Car Buying, China, Volvo, Geely 
Volvo's pending sale to Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group could lead to big changes (or not) for the Swedish automaker and its thousands of employees, but what about its hundreds of Volvo dealerships here in the States? Could Volvo dealers be granted Geely franchises? Will the Chinese automaker utilize its new sales channels to slowly introduce low-cost Chinese vehicles to the U.S. market? Automotive News asked dealers from around the country if they would be interested in selling Geely models, and the responses were mixed at best.
According to AN, many dealers were "receptive" to selling low-cost Geely models; a seemingly expected answer for any good business type. Mark O'Steen of O'Steen Volvo in Jacksonville, Florida reportedly called the possibility of selling Geely models "appealing," adding "it is just another niche that we don't cover, and hopefully they do have some potential in the United States." Mike DiChristofano, vice president of Volvo of Tucson in Arizona had perhaps the best answer of all, pointing to the inability of General Motors to selll off Saab (at least to this point), adding "until this deal goes down, I'm not even thinking about selling a Geely car."
Even if Geely does plan to begin selling Chinese vehicles to the U.S. market by using Volvo dealers, the plan will likely take a lot of time to materialize. Geely reportedly has a lot of work to do to improve safety and quality before being ready for the U.S. market. Global Insight analyst Lin Huaibin told AN that Geely is at least five years away from having products ready for American showrooms.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: David McNew/Getty] U.S. Volvo dealers interested in selling Geely models? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: 2011 Volvo S60 is one shapely SwedeFiled under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Volvo 
2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for image gallery
The debut of the 2011 Volvo S60 is still a few months away, but the safety-oriented Swedes have released a teaser video on Facebook of the new S60 and it's shapely duds, finally giving us a complete view of Volvo's bread-and-butter sedan.
Inspired by the S60 Concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, many of the elements that debuted on the design study have made a successful transition to the sedan, including the coupe-like roof, sculpted swage line and organic, angular front fascia. We're particularly smitten by the taillamps, which evolve the familiar Volvo shape and incorporate a set of lighted tubes that compliment the heavily revised rump and its quaint spoiler.
Unfortunately, Volvo omitted any interior shots, so we'll just have to wait for the S60's debut in Geneva for a glimpse inside. In the meantime, make the jump for the video and check out the gallery of screen caps below for a series of stills.
[Source: Facebook via Kilometer Magazine]Continue reading Video: 2011 Volvo S60 is one shapely Swede Video: 2011 Volvo S60 is one shapely Swede originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Podcast #159 - Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos comes by the podcast clubhouseFiled under: Podcasts, Hybrid, China, Cadillac, Ford, GM, Toyota, Volvo, Geely
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
For this week between holidays, Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos stops by our clubhouse to join Chris, Sam, and Dan for Episode #159 of the Autoblog Podcast. While it's a question-centric podcast this week, we touch on a few news items before hitting a bunch of your emails. An in-depth chat about the Ford Mustang's new 5.0-liter V8 starts us off, before we turn to an equally pithy chat about Toyota's hybrid braking system concerns, and we briefly consider what Volvo's pending sale to Geely might mean. From there on out, it's listener-interaction central, and we break the two-hour barrier this week as a holiday treat(?) for everyone.
As ever, for exceptional quality 'casts, our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget do fine work. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!
Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #159 - Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos comes by the podcast clubhouse Autoblog Podcast #159 - Reilly Brennan from AOL Autos comes by the podcast clubhouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Geely says it will continue to let Volvo be VolvoFiled under: Volvo, Geely  Prior to Ford Motor Company's statement that it had agreed in principal to sell Volvo to China's Geely, some former Volvo executives wrote a letter to Bill Ford voicing their collective concern with the deal. The former execs felt Geely didn't have the cash or products to keep Volvo competitive and there was also a sense that Geely would somehow change how Volvo was run.
Reuters reports that Volvo has nothing to worry about, at least according to the head cheese at Geely. Geely founder and chairman Li Shufu reportedly told the official Xinhua news agency "if the deal succeeds, nothing will change for Volvo, except the boss turns to Li Shufu," adding that Volvo and Geely will be "independently-managed brands." Besides showing that CEOs can be as good at referring to themselves in the third person as any pro athlete, Shufu also insisted that Volvo's production, research and development facilities, union agreements and dealer networks will all be left intact.
Reuters estimates that acquiring Volvo will cost Geely about $1.8 billion dollars, though Shufu adds that the complications over intellectual property were much more costly than the final price tag. The Geely chief added that Volvo could help the Chinese automaker move more upscale, including helping the company build what he calls an "energy-powered vehicle." We're guessing he's referring to electric vehicles.
Shufu making such a public statement is likely welcome news to the many workers at Volvo, but there will likely be at least some changes in store for the storied Swedish automaker. For example, Shufu mentioned that Geely could help Volvo lower production costs, which could mean that parts that are currently produced in Europe could instead be made in China where labor is considerably cheaper. Beyond that, who knows what future lies ahead of Volvo. Shufu may be saying all the right things now, but his actions over the next few years will show whether he means what he says.
[Source: Reuters]REPORT: Geely says it will continue to let Volvo be Volvo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBREAKING: Ford says it has come to terms with Geely on Volvo saleFiled under: China, Ford, Volvo 
Ford Motor Company has just announced that all major terms relating to the sale of Volvo have been settled between Ford and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited. That doesn't mean that all the Ts have been crossed on the deal, but it does indicate that Geely has met all of Ford's terms for the sale to be complete. Ford has issued a press release stating that a definitive sale agreement will be signed in the first quarter of 2010, while the final sale won't take place until Q2.
Earlier in the month, former Volvo executives sent a letter to Ford Chairman Bill Ford, Jr. voicing their concern that Geely doesn't have the necessary resources to support Volvo. Not so, according to Ford's press release. The Blue Oval states "the prospective sale would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise." And even though Ford will likely soon be handing over the keys to Volvo to a Chinese automaker, the company still intends to work closely with the Swedish automaker post-sale. That makes sense considering the fact that all Volvo products share platforms and components with Ford-branded cars and crossovers.
The sale will also go far in achieving Ford's goal of divesting itself of its non-core assets so the Dearborn, MI-based automaker can concentrate on matters closer to the Blue Oval's heart. Follow the jump to study Ford's brief press release. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading BREAKING: Ford says it has come to terms with Geely on Volvo sale BREAKING: Ford says it has come to terms with Geely on Volvo sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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