Ford has not been shy about dumping off divisions not directly related to its core business – the Blue Oval has sold off its Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar divisions over the past several months – with recent reports indicating that that mindset could see the Michigan automaker selling its Volvo brand.
According to Times Online, representatives from Ford and BMW have had preliminary talks about selling the Volvo brand to the German automaker. Despite denials from both companies, similar rumors surfaced a little over a year ago, indicating that something is probably afoot.
The move to sell Volvo would seem to make sense for Ford as the Dearborn-based automaker is scramble to secure enough cash to make it through the current economic downturn – which could last well into 2010. General Motors is reviewing a similar strategy for its Hummer brand, and is even considering a merger with Chrysler to gain access to extra cash.
Ford has been fairly adamant that it has no intentions of selling Volvo, but the economic crisis may be forcing the auto giant’s hand in the matter.
10/27, 2:48 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Just another story by Times Online based on pure unfounded speculation mixed with rumor…
10/27, 2:49 PM
posted by:
Borat
I guess Ford is trying to re-pay for LandRover. Revenge is best when served cold.
10/27, 3:06 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The problem with selling Volvo is that nobody wants to buy a stupid brand.
10/27, 3:11 PM
posted by:
peter g
And now BMW is going to acquire Volvo which hereafter will be spelled Wolwo, otherwise confusing the germans?
10/27, 4:07 PM
posted by:
darx_ider
Volvo was a great car, it was safe and very reliable until Ford took over it’s ownership and started embedding the stupid ford technology which made customers turn their back on Volvo!
10/27, 4:22 PM
posted by:
oakley198877
who cares, volvo is for old people plus their cars suck so bad anyway…
10/27, 4:31 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Volvo’s return to what they are best known for (and it looks like that is what they are currently trying to achieve) will help buffer stormy waters. Separating from Ford is not a bad plan as it will help against an association with Ford should Ford go under.
10/27, 4:53 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Dump Volvo? Fine. Volvos are for chicks, goatee’d eurotrash wannabees, and geriatrics.
Just keep Mazda.
10/27, 4:56 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Most people bashing Volvo have never driven one, let alone actually owned one. Volvo hasn’t gotten too deeply tied into the Ford partsbin, so a separation shouldn’t be impossibly difficult. BMW-Volvo would make a great package, although I think BMW-Saab would be even better. However, Saab is so deep into the GM Borg Hive it would be nearly impossible to separate without killing the brand.
10/27, 5:13 PM
posted by:
Borat
The problem is not that Volvo got infected by Ford parts, it is actually other way around in Europe. You can buy Volvo parts in Ford products and you only pay for Ford oval not Volvo label. This has not happened in US, but there is no reason to pay premium for Volvo in Europe, hence the degeneration of marquee.
10/27, 5:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Stereotypes don’t just pop into the common vernacular for no reason. Ask anyone about Volvo and chances are the first two words out their mouth are ’safe’ and ‘boring’. It was that way before Ford bought them and it’s still that way. If there’s someone out there who thinks they can break that mindset then let them have it. Ford does very well in the safe and boring department all by themselves.
10/27, 6:57 PM
posted by:
TomF
Agreed, johnnycanuck, but the third and fourth words out of their mouths used to be “durable” and “high-value.” Volvo can’t make those claims anymore. Today the words that follow “safe” and “boring” are “expensive,” “quirky,” “indifferent quality” and “crap dealer support.” And there are a lot of safe cars to choose from. So the Volvo cache has pretty much gone away since Ford got ‘em.
“Saab is so deep into the GM Borg Hive it would be nearly impossible to separate without killing the brand,” said global_lightning. Saab is Subarus and GMC trucks now. They won’t coexist well with Bimmer.
10/27, 10:32 PM
posted by:
lou3000
Wow, there is a lot Volvo hate on this board. I find it hard to believe that no one thinks that the new S80 and even the aging XC90 look really good.
Also, while there might be some part overlap, it isn’t like Honda/Acura, VW/Audi, etc. We were recently looking at VW and Audis, and it is difficult to convince me to pay $20k more for a A4 when it has the same interior as a Jetta.
Get in a Volvo, unique interior design and, even if you don’t like it, a strong exterior design language.
I still bought a BMW though, mainly because even the S40 has moved so far upmarket that it isn’t worth it compared to other Euro brands, and the S60 isn’t aging well.
10/27, 11:10 PM
posted by:
desertdriver
Volvo should be sold before it turns into pure crap like Ford-badged autos. There’s a reason why Ford is in so much financial trouble.
I do like the Ford GT, but that’s no longer in production. I’d like the Mustang if it didn’t have a lightning rod antenna right in front of the windshield, and maybe if the side mirrors folded in. The Range Rover inherited fragile side mirrors from Ford.
10/27, 11:42 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
Volvo is leading the way for Ford in safety… i say keep them if you can, dump them if you can’t… THEY CAN ALWAYS BUY BACK THE COMPANIES THEY SELL OFF.
10/28, 9:49 AM
posted by:
ricky_b
Sadly, I think would be a better way to go for Volvo. BMW understands the type of powertrain technology that’s needed to make Volvo more competitive. I think Ford made a real attempt to make it work but I think they were simply too distracted by the rest of their Euro Luxury (Aston, Jaguar and Land Rover) to give Volvo the attention they needed. Better to sell than let such a strong name in the industry fade off.
10/28, 9:51 AM
posted by:
ricky_b
lou3000 – I’m with you. I love the look of the current Volvo models. There something about their quirkiness that it just so appealing to me. Only problem is I just can’t afford Volvo except for the entry models.
10/28, 11:17 AM
posted by:
rubyroxy
There is not a thing wrong with Volvo. Drive a S80 V-8 and you would swear you were in a muscle car. Tight, solid, safe, awesome sound systems, and a bargin compared to an E-Class, A6, or 5 series. They are styled inside and out a little different but isn’t that what Scandanavian design is about? Reliability is on par with the rest of them too. Ask people who have been in a major accident in a Volvo whtat they prefer to drive? The S60R was a fun and fairly quick sleeper. Plus you don’t see every wannabee driving one. Just my .02 cents worth. Peace
10/28, 9:59 PM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
I drove a C30 R a few weeks ago and it was a shock to my system. I’m used to a 330hp Subaru WRX (my daily driver) and I expected a 227hp FWD car to feel like a slug, but it was nimble and very torquey — in fact, at 1100 RPM it had a lot more kick than the 2.0l in my WRX. The interior is really polished and interesting (though I was concerned that all the hard plastic surfaces would pick up nicks and scratches). The R has a nice stance and a great set of seats; too bad they only made C30 Rs for 2007 and discontinued them, as they have the nicest-looking wheels Volvo has ever shipped.
I think BMW should pick them up, Volvo needs to stay European.