Ford Trying to Sell Volvo to Renault. Again. Still.

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

So far, just a blurbette. “ Reuters reported that Ford Motor Company has had exploratory talks with Renault SA to sell Volvo, but the initial talks broke down due to price differences. The two parties have spoken again after their initial discussions, which were held last fall.” So that’s why Ford CEO Alan Mulally was telling the world that Volvo wasn’t for sale back in November: he couldn’t sell it. So I guess Volvo still isn’t for sale– unless someone like Renault wants to buy it. Makes sense to me. Just for fun, here’s Edmunds’ take at the time. “What this means to you: Despite ongoing financial uncertainties, Ford does not appear willing to give up all of its “halo” brands just yet. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent” TTAC’s take: say halo to my little friend!

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • IDANECK IDANECK on Sep 18, 2008

    You're probably right Geotpf. In the markets I've lived in, at least one L-M franchise was part of the larger F franchise. (This includes but not limited to Houston, San Antonio, Tulsa, Boise, SLC, Baton Rouge, Phoenix, etc). Plus there would be a major savings to having all the service rolled into one. The B27/PRV/Douvrin engine made no sense...especially compared to the better performing B230FT.

  • Anonymous Anonymous on Sep 18, 2008

    Volvo's a halo brand?! Now that's sad IMO.

  • Ingvar Ingvar on Sep 18, 2008

    I've said all along that this is one of the few affairs that actually make sense. A tripartite discussion between Ford/Volvo Cars, Renault/Nissan and independent Volvo Trucks. Ford sells Volvo Cars to Renault and Renault sells its truck division to Volvo Trucks. It's a win-win for all three parties. Ford gets some cash, Renault gets their long awaited Volvo brand, and Volvo Trucks can concentrate on being the largest manufacturer of trucks in the world. Last time I checked, Volvo Trucks had quite a big war chest, as the truck division always was the earning part when they made cars. After they sold the car division they were flowing with cash. I don't know how the situation is now, but it would hardly be any different. The ties between Volvo and Renault goes back some 35 years at least, when Volvo aquired the dutch car manufacturer DAF, and licensed Renault engines to equip the cars. They have been using Renault engines for their smaller cars up until the first gen S40, whitch was a JV with Mitsubishi.

  • Iamwho2k Iamwho2k on Sep 18, 2008

    I saw a C30 yesterday. Nice. Very interesting looks. Volvo needs more of this, rather than chasing the BMW-Audi crowd, which is not working anyway. Volvo needs to stand out from the pack. The old, drawn-with-a-ruler styling was part of it, though of course no one's going to go back. Boxes aren't aerodynamic. Keep pushing the safety of the cars --that's expected of Volvo-- but the pricing needs to come down. If Sweden is too expensive re: exchange rate, I think it's pretty safe to say Ford has A LOT of spare U.S. plant capacity.

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