BMW buying Volvo?

[Andy_Gibson]

Oh yes
Considering that I used to work at Longbridge I know all about BMW's tricks with Rover, the Mini and Landrover

[Volvophile]

Yes but you would think they would have learnt their lesson by now, they have had their fingers burnt before so they've learnt where they've gone wrong.

Volvo are a manufacturer that have great potential, it's just Ford seem to be too busy diluting their brand heritage.

[roy chu1]

I personally am shocked, I thought it was VW who was interested in the take over.

I don't think BMW should buy, primarily because, BMW see volvo as a possible threat. Also I don't think they have the intention of developing the volvo and integrating BMW's own technology aswell. I think they will just extract what they need and let it go, shame for us loyal volvo supporters in a big way. I wouldn't know which way to turn.

However if they did intergrate BMW technology in the volvo then the car would be amazing and I am not surprised that volvo design would superseid anything BMW comes up with. Will be watching this space with great interest and apprehension. I for one think that volvo have the most comfortable seating in the world, volvo had this rating since the 850 / V70. Also volvo have the great safety history which is priceless and is why I buy the volvo.

Call me an old man, but I drove my DADs 340 at 18 years old and have had nothing else since then, now I am 29.

Lets hope for the best. (in a sad tone!)

Roy

[strider]

I tend to agree with the sentiment of the other posts.
If BMW buy Volvo it'll only be because the want to remove a rival. BMW will not share their own development, just plunder what they can from Volvo and then sell it off (BMW XC5 anyone?). IMO it will then probably end up in the hands of far east makers, Proton or the like.

If Volvo is sold off, and it looks like Ford is looking to sell something more prestigious first, then the ideal would be management buyout. However, in these days of fewer car makers, sky high development costs and joint ventures I doubt that'll happen.

Just my few pennies worth

[GMcL]

I've learned not to say never but I really can't see there being much of Volvocars left if they were sold.

People mention brand dilution but I think that has already happened.
If you look at the current line-up, C30, S40, V50 and C70 are all based on Ford Focus platform, sharing many of the underpinnings and engines with Ford/PSA group.
The S60 is on it's last legs in it's current form and is the only one which still uses the full range of five cylinder (petrol) engines.
The new V/XC70 and S80 are on Mondeo underpinnings and together with the updated XC90 are using Ford V6 (built in Bridgend) and Yamaha V8 engines. I think, maybe wrong on this, the five cylinders are now detuned to around the 200bhp mark and used in entry level cars.
The only thing of Volvo left of any value is the D5 diesel.
Next time you're under the bonnet of your newish (since 2000) Volvo take a a good look around. Many components now carry Ford brand logos.

Volvo these days is too integrated in Ford to be split off without a great deal of pain in my opinion.

They do still fit the best seats though...for now.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by roy chu1

I for one think that volvo have the most comfortable seating in the world, volvo had this rating since the 850 / V70. Also volvo have the great safety history which is priceless and is why I buy the volvo.

Actually, the Volvo reputation for the best seats came with the 200 series and the orthopaedically designed seats..
Designed by a Dr no less...

The seats were widened in the 700 and 900 series and went down hill after that.
Widened, I believe for our bigger american friends.. Obviously the burgers were getting to them early on..

And no, I don't think bmw should get their hands on Volvo either....
However, as Volvo is the only profitable part of fuds PAG I doubt they will be sold just yet.. May wait a while and see what they get for Jag and Landrover..

Des. . .

[Andy_Gibson]

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Hi,
as Volvo is the only profitable part of fuds PAG I doubt they will be sold just yet.. May wait a while and see what they get for Jag and Landrover..

Des. . .

actually your wrong, Landrover are making bigger profits than volvo at the moment.
landrover made a profit of over $300 million in the first quarter.
and Jag lost around the same amount

so what landrover gives jag takes away

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Andy_Gibson

actually your wrong, Landrover are making bigger profits than volvo at the moment.
landrover made a profit of over $300 million in the first quarter.
and Jag lost around the same amount

so what landrover gives jag takes away

There was, somewhere mentoin of 400 million profit..
Perhaps that was 300 LR and 100 Volvo?
But as LR and Jaguar are tied in together....

Still don't want beemer to get their hands/claws into Volvo though...

Des. . .

[the hoff]

to be honest does it really matter who owns what any more .... at the end of the day nothing is british any more and the stuff that comes out of factories are to be honest bland in comparrison to cars of yester year and to be honest i think that there will only be two major car companies left soon one been japaneese the other been german.... as for ford they continue to disapoint buying volvo for threre technology only to waste it in the substandred focus st (and yes ive driven one and its dissapointing in all areas) and now after trying to concour all car areas realise that the companies they took over were and are producing cr*p ie landrover if you havnt driven one dont bother!!!! i think that volvo needs to go back to been volvo before its to late other wise its good bye volvo!!!

[GMcL]

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Hi,

There was, somewhere mentoin of 400 million profit..
Perhaps that was 300 LR and 100 Volvo?
But as LR and Jaguar are tied in together....

Still don't want beemer to get their hands/claws into Volvo though...

Des. . .

Can't find where they give brand by brand breakdown but here's Ford's official press release re:Q1

Premier Automotive Group (PAG): PAG reported a record pre-tax profit of $402 million for the first quarter, compared with a pre-tax profit of $152 million for the same period in 2006. The improvement is more than explained by favorable volume and mix, favorable net pricing and lower costs, partially offset by adverse currency exchange. First-quarter 2007 revenue was $8.4 billion, compared with $7.1 billion a year ago.

In Q4 2006 favourable volume and mix was attributed to Volvo and the new models launched last year, favourable pricing was down to J/LR, partially offset by the effect of a weaker US dollar against key (€&£) European currencies.

Don't know where the "landrover made a profit of over $300 million in the first quarter." comes from.
What has been reported is:
The Premier Automotive Group reported a record pretax profit of $402 million for the quarter due largely to Volvo.
Source:Link