Comments on: Daimler “Not Interested” In Volvo. Neither Is BMW

By: detlef

detlef — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:51:28 +0000

@Andy D

The 850 FWD was the beginning of the end for them.

Actually, the 850s were exceptional cars, particularly the Turbo and R models. The cargo carrying capacity is quite superior to any other Euro wagon of the era (and likely bested all but the massive final generation of GM’s B-body wagons), and the performance was quite good. The only way the 850 might be construed as “the beginning of the end” for Volvo is that one could interpret it as the beginning of Volvo’s ill-considered march up-market. In all other respects, FWD or no, the 850 was a very good model for Volvo.

By: AJ

AJ — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:40:37 +0000

Lucky for Volvo… they must not have any cash that Daimler can take, screw the company up, and then sell it to some idiots.

By: Andy D

Andy D — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:50:57 +0000

Volvo’s were traditionally a small ( midsize in modern terms) RWD. As an import, they were regarded as sensible, solid and safe. Guys with elbow patches on their blazers drove them. The 850 FWD was the beginning of the end for them.

By: ihatetrees

ihatetrees — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:20:08 +0000

Sajeev Mehta:
I still think BMW should/could pick up Volvo for a song and sell a couple of the current models (XC, S40, whatever) with Mini. Then BMW would have distinct RWD and FWD divisions.

That could work. Marketing with “Volvo = A Chick’s BMW” may work.

But the competition is brutal. I’m sure BMW outsells Volvo in NA. And their dealer network is probably Ford-bloated and screwed up. This brand may be toast.

By: Durask

Durask — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:55:36 +0000

“They should get back to building roomy, reliable, comfortable, slow but fuel efficient wagons. Maybe even diesel ones. With a stick.”

It’s called Subaru.

Volvo actually has very decent cars right now, it’s just that it does not do anything better than their competitors.

Image – the Germans have it beat.
FWD entry-level luxury – Acura has it beat.
Reliable wagons – why would you choose Volvo over a cheaper Subaru?

Shut it down and keep the brand is what makes the most sense.

By: blowfish

blowfish — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:41:37 +0000

volvo’s Diesel 6 cyl failed miserably back in the 80’s, the 6 cyl was VW made, it was under engineered, I had a Lemon too. Head cracked had to sell her cheap. A Dsl mech fixed it & sold for more $$ again.

Nonetheless Diesel didnt do justice for Volvo. The 4,5 cyls were OK.
Their V6 were equally duds.
Even her 16 valves were troublesome. According to a guy who specialise in Vs.

By: Mullholland

Mullholland — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:26:51 +0000

In my mind, the German company with the cash and the need for a brand like Volvo isn’t Mercedes or BMW–it’s Porsche. They could continue their corporate quest to make the world’s greatest sports cars without further diluting the focus of their brand. While applying their cash and engineering prowess to restoring the Volvo brand to its rightful place as the world’s safest cars. Of course they’d have to manufacture everything in India or China to bring it in at a competitive price point and still make a profit for their shareholders :-{)>

By: mtypex

mtypex — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:20:05 +0000

So, basically, in a more honest world, Saab and Volvo would be dead already?

By: Chris Inns

Chris Inns — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:23:03 +0000

Did Ford really need yet another channel for badge-engineered, sorry “shared platform”, Ford sedans & SUVs?

By: Driver23

Driver23 — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:08:03 +0000

Volvo had decent cars until Ford came along. They should get back to building roomy, reliable, comfortable, slow but fuel efficient wagons. Maybe even diesel ones. With a stick.

By: Sajeev Mehta

Sajeev Mehta — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:14:35 +0000

I still think BMW should/could pick up Volvo for a song and sell a couple of the current models (XC, S40, whatever) with Mini. Then BMW would have distinct RWD and FWD divisions.

By: Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:05:06 +0000

The way it looks, there are no Scandinavian buyers. The Swedish government expressed tepid willingness to provide some money, but absolutely ruled out any ownership in Volvo. A Volvo on its own cannot survive. In Europe, Volvo stands for “safe,” “heavy,” and “boring.” Can’t think of a European maker who’s yearning to have a Volvo in their brand portfolio.

By: Loser

Loser — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:54:17 +0000

PeteMoran :
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 pm

Did Ford ever have clear strategy for Volvo or GM for Saab? What “value” did they think they were buying in the first place?

This was Jac “The Knife” Nasser’s baby. He helped Ford get to the sorry state they are in today.

By: Droid800

Droid800 — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:47:05 +0000

Ford’s strategy was to buy a near-luxury European brand to compete with Acura, and Lexus, and to a lesser extent, BMW and Audi.

The only problem was that they bungled it badly, choosing to keep their products stale instead of making them competitive. (the whole Jaguar thing didn’t help either)

By: PeteMoran

PeteMoran — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:41:20 +0000

There are way to many car brands with little differentiation ability for their product.

Some will have to fail for the industry to be healthy again.

Did Ford ever have clear strategy for Volvo or GM for Saab? What “value” did they think they were buying in the first place?

By: John Horner

John Horner — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:33:22 +0000

There are only two rational buyers for Volvo: 1) A Scandivavian group interested in protecting the home-team job base. or 2) The chinese looking for an entry point into the global market with an established brand and ready-to-go product designs.

Ford would be massively stupid to go for #2, because it enables their long term competition. Ford has been at the car thing for over 100 years now and you would think they wouldn’t be eager to further undermine their own prospects. Shutting Volvo down or keeping it on minimal life support makes more sense than the Chinese option.

Option #1 could work if there were willing buyers; much as Japanese investors have taken more of Mazda off Ford’s hands while still keeping the engineering and production tie-ups in place.