Comments on: Volvo to launch more diesel models

By: 02WRXPSM

02WRXPSM — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:11:00 +0000

The C30 at $22,000 (base model, no options) is literally the least expensive truly European car you can get — 100% made in Sweden. Mini Coopers are cheaper, but sourced from parts all over the world (motors from Brazil, etc.) BMW and Mercedes don’t work with the $25k and under crowd. I’m not sure how much cheaper you could make an actual European car.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:16:08 +0000

DialM4Sp: I think the Volvo/Ford association is probably good for Volvo. It makes Volvo seem more like a company that wont suddenly collapse tomorrow, regardless of what people think of Ford. A Volvo/Chinese company connection sounds catastrophic though, in light of China’s paper-safe cars. And a Volvo/Indian car connection – let’s just wait and see what happens to Jaguar/LR. Renault could work though.
02WRX: Those 2 things are definitely holding Volvo back.
Autonut: Ford may be holding Volvo back in terms of hybrid technology, and putting Volvo technology in cheaper Ford products, but about “what the motivation of the European consumer to ever pay more for Volvo?” should probably be that Volvo is European like they themselves are. If only that was enough. That, and not too many people would skip in the Volvo and go for the Ford because the Ford (or Mazda) has the same tech features. But then there are others that would.
TomF: I’d like to see more 5 cyls in today’s Volvos, and less of the other crap for sure.

By: tastyorange

tastyorange — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:33:34 +0000

Everything is a-la-carte with a Volvo. Even roof rails are optional and expensive.
Before you know it, a Volvo is very expensive with options.

Maintenance and service are not cheap either.. and recent Volvos have not been exactly trouble free.

The best thing about Volvos is that they are very comfortable.

Volvo should go back to it’s roots and offer a more affordable family car while retaining all the features it’s known for.

By: 02WRXPSM

02WRXPSM — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:47:48 +0000

If you go to a Volvo dealership, go to the web site or look at any Volvo brochure, you will not see a Ford logo anywhere, nor see them mentioned. I have the C30 and S40 brochures right here, no blue oval. I think what’s holding back Volvo is 1) they are expensive for their class (price an S40 vs an Accord) and 2) they don’t advertise them worth JACK.

By: DialM4Speed

DialM4Speed — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:40:26 +0000

Here’s something strange… Now why aren’t Volvo’s selling? there not badly made, there somewhat good looking, so what is the problem? Oh wait I know…. there connected to Ford and Americans just won’t buy a Ford product. Seriously it will be interesting to see if/when Ford sells if they start selling again.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:02:52 +0000

Crikey! Look… it’s autonut. We were sure he’d disappeared from these regions but now he’s back. Careful now, his venom is so toxic it can peel the clearcoat on any Ford product. Speaking of which, let’s see if we can’t find that Volvo…

By: autonut

autonut — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:35:45 +0000

Volvo’s problem with development is Ford. Since Ford is selling Volvo engines & transmission in cheaper Fords, what the motivation of European consumer to ever pay more for Volvo? And since Ford controls the purse it will be extremely difficult for Volvo to push for its own technology solution, vs. “corporate thinking” from Dearborn (well we know how well that thinking is: control group of monkeys would outsmart control group of Ford execs by 50-60%).

By: 02WRXPSM

02WRXPSM — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:34:32 +0000

Volvo has two hybrids in development. They showed a working C30 prototype with four motors, one in each wheel, and a 4-cylinder flex-fuel motor for the powerplant. They also have a full electric car as a working prototype, so Volvo’s not behind in this area compared to other Euro developers. Where’s Audi or Porsche’s hybrids?

By: TomF

TomF — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:46:30 +0000

Yeah, the 5 cyl + turbo was a heck of an engine, very efficient in the old 60/70 series, unless it was stuck in an AWD configuration (which added about 500-600 lbs to an already porky frame).

The Volvo V8s are ridiculous. Volvo is now doing screaming rock-bottom lease deals on V8-equipped V90s to try to get them off the lots. Too bad they get about 12mpg sitting in traffic. I dunno how many holier-than-thou tree-huggers get tricked into driving those dopey things just because they’re Volvos. At any rate, they’re so out of character for the allegedly environmentally sensitive Swedes.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:03:49 +0000

Yeah, Volvo needs a damn hybrid. What it doesn’t need is a V8 engine. Traditionally (as in three or so years ago), Swedish turbo was supposed to compensate for the fewer cylinders.

By: TomF

TomF — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:32:48 +0000

With Volvo so popular with the greenies / progressive set, I can’t understand why they’ve been so silent re: hybrids.

By: hamishb

hamishb — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:06:19 +0000

Audi Q7 – 3.0 litre diesel twin turbo
VW – has the same engine in the Touareg
BMW – single and twin turbo 3.0 litre straight 6 diesel

Volvo – only has a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder diesel. Sorry, not enough to trade up my XC70 (petrol 2.5 litre turbo) to an XC90.

Would love to see a 3 litre donk in that – perhaps like the old T6?

By: corvette

corvette — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:59:43 +0000

what makes Volvo think china wants to stop polluting so much?

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:59:14 +0000

I miss the Crocodile Hunter. Maybe he’d know where to look for a Volvo.