Published: 28 Oct 09 11:43 CET | Print version
Updated: 28 Oct 09 22:48 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22928/20091028/
Chinese automaker Geely is the only remaining bidder for the purchase Volvo Cars, the Swedish carmaker's US-based owner Ford announced on Wednesday.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Swedes sure know how to celebrate in unusual ways and Midsummer is no exception. From upside-down phallic worshipping to dancing like miniature amphibians, we gathered our favourite ten parts of Midsummer, and filmed Swedes explaining it all. READ () »
Pirate Bay founder Gottfrid Svartholm Warg was sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison for data breaches, aggravated fraud, and attempted aggravated fraud, in what was Sweden's biggest ever hacking trial. READ () »
A Swedish man became the first person in the country to be convicted of genocide, as he was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for participating in the 1994 massacre of Tutsis in Rwanda. READ () »
As one of Sweden's most talented up-and-coming photojournalists, Alexander Mahmoud, 22, faces his toughest challenge yet. Not only losing weight, but photographing himself along the way. Our Swede of the Week tells us about the warts-and-all project 73 Percent Fat. READ () »
Swedish veteran Henrik Larsson pulled on his boots and rekindled past glories in a fleeting appearance on Wednesday for local Helsingborg side Högaborg, the division two outfit where his glittering career began. READ () »
After the birth of his two bonny baby girls, former Londoner Paul Connolly swoons over Swedish healthcare's 'just the right side of hands off' approach that left him feeling safe despite his wife's swollen elephant trotters and high blood pressure. READ () »
Midsummer Eve is the most dangerous day to be out on the roads in Sweden, with 60 traffic accidents last year. To make sure everyone reaches the maypole in one piece, the Transport Administration has issued traffic advice. READ () »
A local Moderate Party politician has called for the installation of undercover spies to patrol retirement homes to ensure that staff do their jobs, in the wake of a slew of recent scandals. READ () »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Kentucky’s Bourbon Royalty Visits Sweden »
"He's not a celebrity in Sweden, but everyone in Kentucky knows the name Fred Noe. Even more people know the name of his great-grandfather, Jim Beam." READ »
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
So much that we buy now is sourced in China, regardless of the 'brand label'. Equally, the Chinese 'middle-class' are developing a taste for cars with 'class', witness Rolls Royce concerns over Geely's GE model.
If Volvo must be sold then an entry into the surging Chinese market, through Chinese ownership, may well be a positive thing.
"Ford believes Geely has the potential to be a responsible future owner of Volvo and to take the business forward while preserving its core values and the independence of the Swedish brand."
They mean:
"We have been trying to sell Volvo for simply ages but have not had any luck and so we are forced to sell to these corporate savages - we know this is bad for Volvo but we have our own problems to face."
2. The Chinese are smart enough to know that they will be buying a dead brand if they in fact buy it.
3. Ford will not risk giving their technology to the Chinese. They will agree to protect it, then go back on their word. They have no respect for international/contractual law.
4. Volvo AB will not allow the Chinese access to the name, without the name, Volvo Cars is worthless.This Quote Sums it up
Ford wants a certain amount of money for the brand and this is a way to get that amount from a truly trusted party. I can't help but notice that there are quite a few execs back in position at Volvo Cars, that had originally been put there by Volvo AB, even as far as putting Peter Horbury back in place. Volvo Cars has recently restarted work on projects that were initially shelved by Ford. This is going to get interesting boys, but it won't be the Chinese.
I really really used to like think pads but since Lenovo took over thinkpad I cannot stand their new versions! God someone export a few product design engineers over to them. Why are the Kings of product design (swedes) abandoning volvo? Please God make Sweden's car companies healthy again!
I believe it's called 'putting your money where your mouth is'. Incidentally, I wonder how many who make 'negative comments' actually own/drive a Volvo themselves?
Folks, wake up before it is too late.
Who would have thought even two years ago that Volvo might be produced in a country that has the largest slave-labor population in the world?
And the New World Order continues to lead the world to its destiny.
And the forces of darkness rub their hands with glee.
It's good news for Volvo to contimne its glorious path in the car industry.It's a awakening signal that people are tending to politicalize the sale of Volvo. Don't forget the history of develoipment of Volvo that started in 1927 with a shabby workshop and grew a giant through the years, but in the competitive world Volvo facing the great management problms that led to changehand to Ford.And the problems remained unsolved now. Just think, who's to blaim. It's a shame to blaim those who come to help.