Volvo up for sale?
July 2, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Sources inside Ford have told Reuters that the blue oval has had initial exploratory talks with Renault to sell Volvo. The news comes amid previous claims from Ford that it has no intentions of off-loading its Swedish brand.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on which side of the coin you look at) Volvo fans can rest easy, as initial talks have broken down due to price differences.
Sources say the talks are still progressing but at very early stages. Nonetheless, Renault isn’t the only manufacturer interested. Ford has also held discussions with China’s third-largest automaker, Dongfeng Motor Group, as a potential partner for Volvo.
When contacted, Ford U.S. spokesman Mark Truby declined to discuss the rumours but said: “We announced earlier this year that Volvo is not for sale and that we are focused on improving Volvo’s business results.”
At the end of May Volvo had sold 2,117 cars in Australia (year to date), which is an improvement of 184 units over the same period last year. A great result for the brand considering the general downward trend for similar European brands.
Print it: 
It would be a pity if Ford sold Volvo but then it is Renaults gain !
Cheers !
Didn’t Renault try that once before? As I recall, Renault’s motors were so bad that Volvo had to show them how to cast blocks so the oil didn’t pour out through the sides. No, either a French or Chinese master would be a bad choice for the safest cars on the planet. Perhaps the talk of a Swedish buyout will bear fruit. One can only hope.
We may have to learn to say “Damn Dongfeng Drivers”.
Duke,
Hate to correct you but Renault have most 5 star rated cars of any manufacturer. There Volvo are NOT the safest cars in the world. In the mid 90’s Volvo distributed Renault in Oz but when talks re: purchase broke down so did the distribution agreement.
Personally I have always thought the Ford parent has only tarnished the reputation of the Volvo brand and do little if anything to really enhance it. I agree making it an all Swedish affair once again would be ideal if not somewhat unrealistic.
Flying High,
Sorry buit thats just biased B/S.
Virtually no-one, who would be in the Volvo market would have any idea who the “parent” company was.
Ironic that innovative companies like Volvo are struggling and whitegoods manufacturers like Toyota are on top.
Volvo has traditionally made solid and extemely durable and safe vehicles. The truth be know a Volvo will typically outlast a Toyota at least 2:1 all the while with safety and finesse.
Shows how discerning the buying public isn’t and fickle their perception is!
Volvo is perhaps the best value for money European car we can get in Australia. Dongfong motor could be a good choice as the Chinese are so eager to get into the internatioal automobile market, it will surely try harder than Ford to promot/improve Volvo. Having said that, the Chinese can afford injecting a lot of cash, while Ford hasn’t done any good to Volvo.
Brett. On what basis do you make such an obnoxious comment? Do you know any Volvo owners? I do. And the ones that I know also know that Ford is the parent company. And NONE of those people like idea of a company like Ford having dibs in a quality company like Volvo. Volvo buyers abhor the idea if truth be told as the ethos of the two manufacturers are poles apart.