Volvo sold to Geely of China

[AnthonyG]

Just like buses .. nothing happens in the Swedish car industry, then big events happen all at once:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8428066.stm

[VWPowered]

still think the SAAB/Spyker relationship could be a good one

[KruJoe]

A quick google shows that up to now, Geely have been a bunch of shameless copycats:

 

 

 

 

 

The Geely GE doesn't look like a bad place to be for £25k.

Flying Lady and all.

 

 

 

 

I'm sure they'll be looking to learn some lessons from Volvo to improve their safety ratings:

The Geely "Freedom Vessel" recently took part in a crash test, and the results were not good, so bad in fact, that it was renamed the ‘Death Vessel‘ and was awarded 0 stars.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

'Morning love, what a glorious day it is, fancy taking the 'Freedom Vessel' out for a spin?' 'Sorry I've got a headache'

[VWPowered]

silly question, is that a back 2 front lada badge on the bonnet

 

[Waderider]

'Freedom Vessel' Crash video:

 

http://www.chinacartimes.com/2008/02/05/more-on-the-geely-death-vessel/

[Ratdat]

silly question, is that a back 2 front lada badge on the bonnet

 

That test was carried out by AvtoVAZ hence the logo. As they won't exactly benefit from Chinese imports, you have to wonder how impartial their testing might be. Notice all the shots in the video are in slow motion so you can't actually see what speed the test was carried out at. I've no doubt the Geely is flimsy compared to most western cars but I'd prefer to see a more impartial body doing the testing!

[Guest greenvanman]

Don't know about their cars but I've come across a couple of their truly execrable scooters on my travels.

[VWPowered]

 

chinese cars are not poor quality said jonny as he farted on the wing

[ChinaTom]

Shouldn't be too hard on Geely - they are satisfying their market. Most of their normal clients read about Geely's appearance in a USA car show, and decided to buy one over a TianJin equivalent based on that headline alone. It's a very strange market believe me - China maybe the next superpower, but it is still largely a nation of hero seeking "followers".Merc and BMW both produce cars in China now and you would be shocked to see what dross some of those manufacturing partners were kicking out before the big-boys stepped in.Volvos are seriously lusted after in China - there is no middle class antique dealer image to hinder it - only the good safety angle which is the next big thing in China. Only top spec cars are currently sold there, big engines and nothing less than an SE Lux. An S40 is in a class above a 3 series BMW. I wanted a V70, but didn't fancy shelling out £58k for the privilege. I don't think Geely will just pinch the tech and launch an AWD active chassis Geely Freeboat. I think they'll just do a BMW / Merc and start building S40's and hopefully the new S60 to offer to potential Buick buyers. Simple fact is - most drivers aspire to a Volvo for themselves; a Merc for their wives / girlfriends and a Beemer for the little chubby darling Buddha shaped kid.Geely are a massive success in their short life so far - both financially and commercially. It'll be OK - Volvo has an exciting life ahead of it I reckon

[Lukas]

Thanks a lot for the informations about the chinese market, that´s so strange and different compared to our markets and our culture, it´s very interesting to hear more about that so we can understand what´s going on there and why. Thanks a lot, all three thumbs up!

[Lankytim]

I recon its the beginning of the end for Volvo......If I worked in a Volvo factory in Sweden id be choking on my herring.

[pogweasel]

^whs^I'll give it a year before the Volvo factories outside China are closed due to being "uneconomical", then there will be a slow slide in quality and a marked decline in demand from western europe and the US, eventually with it just being a pseudo-kwality brand to feed chinese domestic demand. However, China is now so wealthy & so powerful there is absolutely fuck all any of us can do about it, and this will simply go on and on and on until what little manufacturing and technological industry currently remaining is gone for good. Would the last one out of Europe please turn out the lights.

[Rusty Pelican]

Would the last one out of Europe please turn out the lights.

Quote of the year pog , this i will remember sad but true in many ways

[Volksy]

Bugger.In a week thats my two favorites makes broke.Saab closed down, and Volvo heading down.Bugger.

[Lankytim]

One plus point... Chinese built Wolwo 240?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

It might be OK I reckon. Us westerners dont know much about chinese business practices, if they are minted they might not be quite so ready to save £100 per car by building them in China then spending £95 per car shipping them back round the world to the customer. Anyway, look at GM's stewardship of SAAB, the Bartons cant do any worse than that i'm sure.