silvrsvt Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/volvo-40-series-concepts-meet-new-modular-faces-swedish-luxury Not bad looking cars, but they seem to to be saddled with the overwrought C-pillar that plagued the last gen Chrysler 200 and the Sedan looks too much like a 3 box CUV vs a sedan...the belt line is too high (like on the Taurus and MKS) that makes it look like a CUV vs a Sedan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 For some reason, i actually like the sedan shaped that way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Volvo is quite the comeback story, it's a brand I would really like to buy into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Volvo is quite the comeback story, it's a brand I would really like to buy into. I think Volvo is much like Subaru with a sort of cult following, but the problem has been ancient core product (like the XC90) so those people had nothing new to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) I don't think people who could afford Volvos before can buy the XC90 now, it's a brand that has moved up market by quite a leap. Volvo is actually a great example of how you use your brand equity and culture to create something completely unique in the market, people have really responded and Volvo has maintained a consistency and product momentum that is key to sustaining it's turnaround. Edited June 1, 2016 by BORG 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Love the CUV, the sedan looks a bit like a Scion Tc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 yawn..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Volvo is actually a great example of how you use your brand equity and culture to create something completely unique in the market, people have really responded and Volvo has maintained a consistency and product momentum that is key to sustaining it's turnaround. Volvo Cars' recent "product momentum" would not be possible if it had not been freed from the constraints of being a Ford Motor Company business unit or subsidiary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Volvo Cars' recent "product momentum" would not be possible if it had not been freed from the constraints of being a Ford Motor Company business unit or subsidiary. On the flip side, Ford didn't have to worry about spending billions of dollars on cars that don't really justify that type of investment in them either. I'm rather curious as to Volvo's financials since they got sold to the Chinese...if they are profitable or they being propped up by Geely 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 On the flip side, Ford didn't have to worry about spending billions of dollars on cars that don't really justify that type of investment in them either. I'm rather curious as to Jaguar's financials since they got sold to the Indians...if they are profitable or they being propped up by Tata FIFY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 These pics have been out for a while. I saw them before. I do like them and they send Volvo in a unique direction. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Volvo Cars' recent "product momentum" would not be possible if it had not been freed from the constraints of being a Ford Motor Company business unit or subsidiary. absolutely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 On the flip side, Ford didn't have to worry about spending billions of dollars on cars that don't really justify that type of investment in them either. I'm rather curious as to Volvo's financials since they got sold to the Chinese...if they are profitable or they being propped up by Geely JLR is profitable. They operate like a smaller company they spend less in product development and more in production. volume players spend more in PD to reduce production and component costs because their volumes are so high. smaller premium makers don't save money by trying to reduce production cost by 5% if it increases their development costs by 50%. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 All of the sold off brands that were formerly under the Blue Oval will continue to do as well as they did prior to Ford going on a buying spree in the late 90's and early 2000's. It was a mistake to buy them as they were a drag on company resources. The "One Ford" approach not only saved Ford...it also saved those brands that could have met the same fate Saab did.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 OH $h!% look at this its a hybrid DCT AKA getrag 7HDT300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/154663/volvo-car-group-already-testing-its-new-three-cylinder-engine Press Release Date of issue Dec 11, 2014 | ID: 154663 Volvo Car Group already testing its new three-cylinder engine New 3-cylinder engine developed by Volvo Cars in Sweden Volvo’s next step in its impressive Drive-E powertrain program Broad range of performance levels up to around 180 hp Volvo Cars today confirms its production program to develop a lightweight 3-cylinder petrol engine. The engine, wholly developed in Sweden, will join the class-leading 4-cylinder Drive-E engines in displaying Volvo’s engineering prowess and commitment to efficient power. “We have come a long way in the last few years at Volvo. Investments from our parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, have enabled us to recapture our position as a leader in the field of powertrain engineering. The development program for the new 3-cylinder engine is very advanced and we have already begun prototype testing of the unit,” says Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Group. Volvo has a long history of developing its own unique 6, 5 and 4-cylinder engines and in-house expertise. The move to include a 3-cylinder in Volvo’s engine program is a natural next step in Volvo’s strategy of downsizing. The application of class-leading technology and analysis techniques enables more power and better fuel economy from smaller displacement internal combustion engines than ever before. “We have learned a lot from the development of our 4-cylinder Drive-E engines and translated this into a highly responsive, compact and powerful premium-quality 3-cylinder engine. The engine is being developed primarily with our new CMA architecture in mind but will also provide power for our 60 Series cars thanks to Volvo’s advanced turbo technologies, while also meeting Euro 7 emission targets,” says Michael Fleiss, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Car Group. Built with a keen eye on the future, the new Drive-E 3-cylinder engine is designed to support several different applications, in-line with the growing demand for a real-world blend of performance and efficiency. “The beauty of the new 3-cylinder engine we are developing is that it can be built on the same production lines as our 4-cylinder engine, offering flexible production potential which can be adapted to suit business needs as we grow. This marks an important step forward for Volvo Cars. In terms of our power and efficiency, Volvo’s engineering excellence will shine through with the Drive-E 3-cylinder engine,” concludes Dr. Mertens. Notes for editors: Volvo’s all-new 4-cylinder Drive-E Powertrains were launched to great acclaim in 2013 offering world class fuel consumption and performance The 4-cylinder Drive-E engines are used as the base of the new Volvo Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain Volvo has been developing its own powertrain solutions since the company was founded in 1927 The first Volvo engines were cast-iron block side valve engines Volvo has built a wide range of 4, 5, and 6 cylinder variant engines over the years The Drive-E 3-cylinder engine is yet another step towards zero emissions and real-world performance from Volvo --------------------- Volvo Car Group in 2013 For the 2013 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 1,919 MSEK (66 MSEK in 2012). Revenue over the period amounted to 122,245 MSEK (124,547 MSEK), while net income amounted to 960 MSEK (-542 MSEK). Global retail sales for the year amounted to 427,840 (421,951) cars, an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to 2012. The operating profit was the result of cost control and strong sales and was further tangible proof of Volvo Car Group’s progress in implementing its transformation plan. For the full year 2014, the company expects to stay in black figures and predicts to record a global sales increase of close to 10 per cent. About Volvo Car Group Volvo has been in operation since 1927. Today, Volvo Cars is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales of 427,000 in 2013 in about 100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999, when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was acquired by Geely Holding. As of December 2013, Volvo Cars had over 23,000 employees worldwide. Volvo Cars head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company’s main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium) and Chengdu (China), while engines are manufactured in Skövde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and body components in Olofström (Sweden). Media Contacts Stefan Elfström Corporate Spokesman Volvo Car Group Phone: +46 31 596525 Mobile: +46 31 596525 stefan.elfstrom@volvocars.com Volvo Car Group Media Relations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) Ford did a good job finding the right owners for the PAG brands, prior to Ford's ownership those brands were all near death so at least Ford kept them funded without irrevocably binding them to Ford products like Saab. So sure all the PAG brands are doing much better since leaving Ford's neglectful stewardship, but that turned out to be a good thing for both parties. Besides, why own them when you can knock-off their designs anyway Edited June 2, 2016 by BORG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 On the flip side, Ford didn't have to worry about spending billions of dollars on cars that don't really justify that type of investment in them either. Ford's relentless cost cutting, especially its push to share components and engineering, had an especially negative impact on Jaguar and Volvo during the PAG era. To its credit, Ford Motor Company eventually acknowledged it lacked the expertise to invest in and sustain premium automotive marques. As others mentioned in this thread, Ford's divestiture of Volvo, JLR, and Mazda in the 2008 to 2011 period was mutually beneficial for all parties involved including Ford itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) Ford's relentless cost cutting, especially its push to share components and engineering, had an especially negative impact on Jaguar and Volvo during the PAG era. To its credit, Ford Motor Company eventually acknowledged it lacked the expertise to invest in and sustain premium automotive marques. As others mentioned in this thread, Ford's divestiture of Volvo, JLR, and Mazda in the 2008 to 2011 period was mutually beneficial for all parties involved including Ford itself. . Don't forget Aston Martin....they were the first one overboard when the S.S. Blue Oval began taking on water... Edited June 2, 2016 by twintornados 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 OH $h!% look at this its a hybrid DCT AKA getrag 7HDT300. why "OH $h!%"?? I've been curious about Getrag's 7---300 transmissions for a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 (edited) Ford's relentless cost cutting, especially its push to share components and engineering, had an especially negative impact on Jaguar and Volvo This is revisionism. Neither Jaguar nor Land Rover nor Volvo could possibly have self-funded new platforms before being bought by Ford. In fact Land Rover had ceased to be independent some years before Ford bought them. When Ford required PAG to pay its own way, which required reducing the cost of its platforms by sharing them with Ford and Lincoln badged products, you started to see real pushback from the PAG engineers/management. Ford subsequently sold them to manufacturers who have proven more than willing to subsidize them. You should wholeheartedly endorse the current management of the PAG brands if and only if you were equally enthusiastic about Ford seeing negative cumulative returns on their investments in PAG. It is a monumental mistake to talk about how low volume manufacturing has proven to be extremely profitable for Jaguar, for one, as the sun set on that business model thirty years ago. If low volume manufacturing were quite profitable, you would see considerable venture capital investment in new vehicle startups, you would have seen VCs or equity investors lining up to bid for Jaguar, Volvo, etc., that's not the case. There has been no major revolution that has made companies which could not function independently 20-30, or even 10 years ago suddenly capable of being self-sustaining at present. Edited June 3, 2016 by RichardJensen 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 You don't measure a company's worth in boom times, you see how it performs (or not) when its back is against the wall. I would sooner Ford bought back Mazda and Volvo before ever considering Jaguar and Land Rover. Ford, Mazda and Volvo all worked well together giving Ford much better vehicles than would otherwise have been possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 (edited) it is amazing what such a small company can do. Edited June 19, 2016 by Biker16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 On the flip side, Ford didn't have to worry about spending billions of dollars on cars that don't really justify that type of investment in them either. I'm rather curious as to Volvo's financials since they got sold to the Chinese...if they are profitable or they being propped up by Geely Yeah, I recall the figure $10.5 Billion on re-positioning the brand..... And let's remember that Ford made the sale conditional on the next product cycle being fully funded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 (edited) it is amazing what such a small company can do. Steal things from other Companies? I guess that is the Chinese way though. Edited June 20, 2016 by jasonj80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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