Autoblog

Volvo agrees to transfer tech to new parent Geely

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: China, Technology, Volvo, Geely

Following the acquisition of Volvo by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010, we definitely saw this news coming. The two companies have signed an agreement that will give Chinese automaker Geely access to key technologies developed by Volvo, and in turn, the deal could help the Swedish automaker lower its production costs.

As a part of the "technological cooperation agreements" signed by both companies, Automotive News China reports that Geely will be able to tap Volvo for three much-needed technologies, including the use of a midsize platform, Volvo's proven safety innovations and interior air quality systems. The latter two technologies are important to improve the crashworthiness of Geely's cars, along with helping isolate vehicle occupants from China's often severe air pollution. The report says that Volvo tech will likely be used on a premium car brand that Geely is expected to create.

Volvo, on the other hand, is to benefit from the "local market exploration experience and cost control experience" of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which is technical way of saying that Volvo will be able reduce its costs by tapping into Geely's established supply chain.

Volvo agrees to transfer tech to new parent Geely originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to seek Volvo buyer next month

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:39:00 EST

Filed under: China, Ford, Volvo

Emerging reports indicate that Ford is moving ahead with the sale of Volvo Cars with a determined push to find a new buyer around the middle of February. Although it's undoubtedly a bad time to be selling, Ford needs the cash on hand and a streamlined corporate structure in order to weather the current storm without going into debt.

As was previously suggested, Chinese automakers - including Shanghai (SAIC), Chery and Guangzhou - are looking like the most likely buyers for the Swedish automaker. Although details have not been made public over which prospective buyers Ford is approaching, industry analysts note that most European automakers would have an issue with overlap, while Indian auto giant Tata has enough on its plate with Jaguar and Land Rover.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford to seek Volvo buyer next month originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo moving to chrome-free interiors

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Volvo

Apparently there's a sizable group of people out there allergic to chrome. This is different than a normal enthusiast's aversion to chrome trim, mind you. While we might gag at the overuse of the bling, someone with a chromium allergy can actually develop an itchy rash if they touch it. While most automakers reserve chrome for the exterior and some interior accents, a little known fact is that chromium is often used in the leather-tanning process. That means that most leather interiors are off limits to those unfortunate souls who have this problem. Until now. Volvo has just announced that all of its leather interiors will forthwith feature only chrome-free leather. Instead, all of the leather used in Volvo car interiors will be tanned using either natural or synthetic tanning materials. The switch is said to benefit both man and nature because it also reduces the environmental impact of the tanning process.

[Source: Volvo]

Volvo moving to chrome-free interiors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Volvo

Click above to view the Volvo SC90 concept in high resolution

The four-door coupe segment has been sweeping across the industry, blurring the line between sportscar and sedan with such tantalizing examples as the Aston Martin Rapide, Mercedes CLS, BMW CS concept... and heck, why not, even the Porsche Panamera (somebody probably likes it). Volvo may not be the kind of company that easily jumps on bandwagons, preferring to stick to station wagons instead, but what if the Swedish automaker that made its reputation on safety were to go head-to-head with these super-sedans? One answer could be the S60 Concept the company just unveiled in Detroit, but as much attention as that show car garnered, what you see here is an even more convincing take on the theme: meet the Volvo SC90 design study.

Conceived by Volvo designer Nouphone J. Bansasine while undertaking an internship at the company in the summer of 2007, the SC90 concept cuts a striking silhouette that only gets "more complex and fresh [on the] second read." Far more aggressive and sharply-styled than anything we've seen from Volvo before, our only beef with the SC90 is that it exists only on paper. With the company's future in jeopardy and car sales down around the world, now may not be the time to introduce a car like this... but then again, considering that the upper end of the market continues to grow, may now's the perfect time. We'll run with that one. Check out the images in the gallery and the video after the jump to see all the angles.

Gallery: Volvo SC90 design study

[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept

Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo not interested in buying back Volvo Cars from Ford

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Volvo, Earnings/Financials

The Volvo Group, successfully spun off ball bearing company SKF in 1927, no longer has much to do with the Volvo brand of cars. While it does build large commercial vehicles, the automotive unit was sold to Ford all the way back in 1999, and the only real ties the two corporations share is joint-ownership of the Volvo logo and trademark. Unfortunately, things haven't really been all that rosy for the Swedish brand since it was purchased by the Blue Oval. Despite its lack of involvement, Volvo Group doesn't like to see its old auto division in such sorry shape and is reportedly willing to help... up to a point. The Swedish company will not purchase Volvo Cars back from Ford, but would consider funding various joint projects and becoming part of a consortium of owners.

The Volvo Group also opposes calls for the Swedish government's intervention. Some have suggested that both Volvo and Saab should be operated as state-owned brands. Says Volvo chairman of the board Finn Johnsson, "The state knows nothing about the car industry..." If Ford isn't able to keep it up and the Swedish gov't minds its own business, where does that leave Volvo? Johnsson suggests that Renault might be a good fit for potential owner of the brand. Ghosn, are you listening?

[Source: AF via Google]

Volvo not interested in buying back Volvo Cars from Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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