• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Volvo and Geely in two minds over China plans

Published: 13 Nov 10 11:16 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/30192/20101113/

Volvo Cars and its Chinese owners Geely have different ideas on how best to market the Sweden-based firm's models in China.

Geely chairperson Li Shufu wants to see large, luxury vehicles which is not part of Volvo's plans for China.

Li aired his opinions in the Chinese state-owned Securities Times (ST) newspaper, the first time the Chinese owners have publicly expressed an opinion distinct from their Swedish subsidiary.

According to Li, Volvo Cars maintain that large cars require more fuel and more material to manufacture, and argue that the global car industry is developing towards more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly models.

Li Shufu appeared unruffled by the differences of opinion, arguing that they will be solved given time and would lead to an improvement in coordination between the firms, while he is reported to have expressed criticism in his interview.

Any connection between Li's criticism and the resignation of Magnus Jonsson, head of Volvo's product development, has been rejected by Jonsson in a comment to the Göteborgs-Posten (GP) daily.

Volvo Cars has not issued a response to Li Shufu's comments.

"We have not had it confirmed from Li Shufu directly. We have sent an email to Geely, but have not received an answer," said Volvo Cars' Olle Axelson to GP.

TT/The Local/pvs (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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.

14:38 November 13, 2010 by Gletta
So, the chairman states that the company is going in a different direction to what others think and you 'send him an email´.
14:44 November 13, 2010 by DavidtheNorseman
One would think that Geely knows its own market best...now that they own Volvo cars, well, he who pays the piper calls the tune.
14:59 November 13, 2010 by janswed
Who could have seen this coming?LOL
01:58 November 14, 2010 by 2394040
All great nations become decadent over time (one of the lessons of history) and China, because of its sheer size, will become decadent much faster than the great nations of the past. China has risen from financial obscurity to financial domination in probably the least amount of time in the history of the world. It's rise has been phenomenal. And it's fall (which will happen; China will not be an exception to the lessons of history) will also be phenomenal.
19:39 November 15, 2010 by Essjay
Totally agree
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna voted best place to live in Sweden

Solna, a suburb just north of Stockholm, is the best place to live in Sweden, according to a new ranking published on Friday by Swedish news magazine Fokus. READ () »

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ikea founder rated fifth richest in the world

Ingrad Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, finished fifth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published on Friday, with an estimated fortune of $55.6 billion. READ () »

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

LinkedIn profile lands Swede with hefty tax bill

A Swedish man is facing a five-million kronor ($750,000) add-on to his tax bill after the authorities took a proper look at his account on the professional networking site LinkedIn. READ () »

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

India in no rush to open first Ikea store

The first Ikea store to open in India may not be ready for years, with the India head of the Swedish furniture giant prepared to wait until the the perfect location is found for the first of the 25 planned stores. READ () »

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO to Bangladesh: raise minimum wages

H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson has urged Bangladesh to raise its minimum wage, adding the Swedish fashion giant is "willing to pay more" in the wake of a garment industry disaster which killed more than 1,100 people. READ () »

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

Pensioners to recruit ageing Swedish rockers

The Swedish Pensioners Association wants to cast off its "stuffy" image at the Sweden Rock festival, in a recruitment bid to set up a rock music subgroup of new members. READ () »

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

Sweden plummets in income equality ranking

The living conditions of most Swedes have improved in recent decades, but income inequality is growing rapidly, according to a new OECD report, which saw Sweden drop 14 spots from its first place ranking in 1995. READ () »

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish shop hits back: our Converse are real

Swedish retailer Coop has refuted complaints by US sneaker brand Converse that Coop stores are selling unauthorized pirated copies of the iconic footwear. READ () »

Sweden housing crunch
Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

Young Swedes forced to live with mum and dad

More than half of Swedes in their twenties are stuck living at home with their parents in major metropolitan areas, with observers blaming politicians for abdicating any responsibility for dealing with lack of housing. READ () »

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Converse in bid to ban 'fake' shoes in Sweden

Legendary US sneaker brand Converse has asked a Swedish court for permission to search outlets of Swedish retail chain Coop in a bid to clear near-perfect pirated copies of the iconic shoes off the shelves. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
18/05 LCI Coordinator
Aker Advantage
Bærum/Tranby
18/05 Tender Lead Subsea 7656
Aker Advantage
Ågotnes
17/05 Account Executive - Sweden- Sofware Sales
Stockholm
17/05 Authorization Engineer
Västerås
17/05 Backend infrastructure Team Lead
Stockholm
17/05 Baxter Home Hemodialysis ? HHD Field Service Engineer
Baxter Medical AB
Östergötland
17/05 Boutique Manager / Store Manager
Copenhagen
17/05 Business Consultant
Tieto Sweden AB
Stockholm, STHM
17/05 Business Partner Sales to AkzoNobel
Experis Finance
SKÅ
17/05 BUSINESS SOL ARCHITECT
Kista

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS