Beijing Automotive to buy Volvo?
June 12, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
First it was MG then HUMMER and now Volvo looks like it’s heading to the land of Dragons and Emperors with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation announcing its interest in buying Ford’s Swedish Volvo car unit.
Beijing Auto is China’s fifth-largest carmaker and earlier this month also expressed interest in buying Opel, but no deal eventuated from that. Even if Beijing Automotive does not go through with its intentions, at the moment it seems very likely that Volvo will be sold to a Chinese company regardless.
So far Geely Automobile Holdings, Ford’s China partner Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., and Chery Automobile have all shown interest in taking Volvo from Ford. Volvo has had little to say about all the speculation: “Ford has said it is a process ongoing, but they haven’t disclosed any names.” Stefan Elfstrom, spokesman for Volvo Cars said.
Beijing Auto currently only manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai Accent cars with a joint ventures with Daimler AG and South Korea’s Hyundai Motor.
“(Beijing Auto) doesn’t even have a in-house design car brand so far. How can anyone realistically expect it to take over and turn around Opel or Volvo?” an anonymous source told the Us industry publication Autonews.
We do have to wonder what the future holds for Volvo?
Print it: 
The biggest problem Chinese car Manufacturer’s face is lack of brand recognition. Who ever heard of BAIEC for example? Its the same problem Toyota and Datsun had 50 years ago. They need a recognisable automotive brand. Now is the best time in a long time to buy one!
Spam word, Rover. Oh the irony!
A cashed up volvo would be a wonderful thing. They really are an impressive car (I’ve owned 5), compared to local offerings, let down by crap advertising and general public resistance to FWD. At least the brand would survive, without the spectre of it being flushed as unprofitable. Whether quality holds up long term is another thing – probably depend on whether the existing manufacturing arrangements remain in place. I’ll mention again – free driving game available from volvo oz website – search s60 concept game – 600mb, pretty good dynamics, similar to GTR Evolution, but limited cars and tracks. ’tis free, though…freeeeeeeeeeeee….
Should never have given these people money….
Chinese buyer for Volvo- ROTLMAO… Even with Ford as parent company, past Volvos S70, S80, S60, S40 and XC90 all were riddled with reliability issues & now with Beijing something something Corp???
I’ve owned 3 Volvos and I can declare now that I’ll never buy another Volvo, no matter how much I love their cars.
Now this is a car the Chinese could learn a lot from in manufacturing cars.If they duplicate the way the Swedes now make them they will improve leaps and bounds in safety and quality.
The first few runs maybe ok from them if they are being taught by the Swedes but leave them alone and they will cut corners,not good for the Volvo name they have done a brilliant job rebuilding .
I was going to say the same thing BM but you beat me to it! :-D
The chinese could really learn a thing or two about safety from Volvo. The current volvo lineup is actually okay. I quite like the current design style and from looking at the new concepts, i think it can only get better. Lets just hope the chinese don’t drive volvo into the ground.
At least there’s someone buying.
Good news!!
I am from Beijing and volvo cars are in fact quite popular in China.
Many young people choose to buy S40 instead of BMW 3 series, because they’ve done a great job marketing their safety technologies.
This deal in noway gets Elitists seal of approval.
I thought they werent interested in safe cars????
Renault werent allowed……..
Like with Hummer, if the Seppo’s cannot get it to work, how can the Chinese?
The best deal would have been for Volvo and SAAB to join, but unlike US GovCo, the Swedish GovCo said its NOT interested in being involved with the car [or any other] industry…and rightly so
Saab and Volvo have had their days in the sun, sales are stalled badly.
Cheers
F-0
PS/ Maybe another star-buy for Serfio/FIAT?