Comments on: Economic downturn has Ford re-thinking Volvo sale

By: 02WRXPSM

02WRXPSM — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:59:21 +0000

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.

By: rubyroxy

rubyroxy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:17:12 +0000

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

By: ricky_b

ricky_b — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:51:35 +0000

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.

By: ricky_b

ricky_b — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:49:22 +0000

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.

By: eff1Fifty

eff1Fifty — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:42:51 +0000

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.

By: desertdriver

desertdriver — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:10:53 +0000

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.

By: lou3000

lou3000 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:32:48 +0000

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.

By: TomF

TomF — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:57:49 +0000

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.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:43:17 +0000

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.

By: Borat

Borat — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:13:25 +0000

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.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:56:36 +0000

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.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:53:53 +0000

Dump Volvo? Fine. Volvos are for chicks, goatee’d eurotrash wannabees, and geriatrics.

Just keep Mazda.

By: Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3

Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:31:04 +0000

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.

By: oakley198877

oakley198877 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:22:38 +0000

who cares, volvo is for old people plus their cars suck so bad anyway…

By: darx_ider

darx_ider — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:07:41 +0000

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!

By: peter g

peter g — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:11:56 +0000

And now BMW is going to acquire Volvo which hereafter will be spelled Wolwo, otherwise confusing the germans?

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:06:26 +0000

The problem with selling Volvo is that nobody wants to buy a stupid brand.

By: Borat

Borat — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:49:35 +0000

I guess Ford is trying to re-pay for LandRover. Revenge is best when served cold.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:48:38 +0000

Just another story by Times Online based on pure unfounded speculation mixed with rumor…