Things have looked like Volvo was going to fall into the hands of a Chinese auto group for a few months now but here’s some good news for those who for some reason have been opposing such a takeover, mainly due to intellectual property and ‘brand bastardisation’ issues.
There is a new interested party that will be bidding for a Volvo takeover – a new consortium called Crown led by ex-Ford man Michael Dingman. Dingman was a Ford board member for 21 years until he left in 2002. He has partnered up with engineering man Shamel Rushwin, who is both ex-Ford and ex-Chrysler.
So far the Crown offer is reported to be lower than Geely’s US$2.2 billion bid but Crown says they intend to invest another US$3 billion in Volvo if it succeeds in taking over the company. Talk is cheap of course – I hope this is written down in black and white somewhere. Crown is backed by some US investors currently and are looking for some Swedish investors and partners – Volvo being Swedish and all.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Chinese are comming!
Malaysia proton will crushed by Chinese cheap products.
Anyway, Why malaysia goverment don't bid volvo?
this is a good chance for proton.
volvo is 1000 times much valuable brand than lotus.
The kind of safety tech that Volvo uses is expensive and not suitable to use for the price ranges that the majority here can afford. Of course then we can bring in the argument that car prices should be lower… it's never-ending!
"bastardisation" got to be my word of the day !
Couldn't agree more with you Paul.
If any Malaysians want to bid for this brand, let it be private and not government. The investment scale is just huge and brand/tech for money ratio is simply overrated compare to sales. So, I doubt it'll be a winning situation for any of Malaysian bidders with our current capital market & manufacturing capacity.
volvo should not be 'bastardized' by anyone except the Swedes…it's just so wrong.
i think the Crown will eventally success to tae over Volvo, unless their offer is too far behind than Geely. why? simply bcoz the westeners will "no face" if Volvo fall under the China-man.
Then how about Lotus fall for Malaysian-man? Money talks end of the day…
Littlefire said,
October 7, 2009 @ 10:31 am
Then how about Lotus fall for Malaysian-man? Money talks end of the day…
——————————————–
Yes, money talks. Last time Proton was able to buy Lotus as it was relatively cheap compare with Volvo.
Honestly speaking, do you think Proton has that kind of money to buy Volvo.
Such money is better use to development new car or joint-venture with other manufacturer
I think Volvo make more sense compare to Lotus.. Volvo can help introduce safety standart in our cars and they also built passenger cars, wagon & SUV… (safety belt is also introduce first by volvo..)
Still remember our country is one of the most accident countries in the world? If every car have the technology, i think we can save more lives… By Mass producing, i dont think their safety technology will cost a bomb. As we all knew those car are expensive in Malaysia due to tax and not technology…
By the way, how many people benefit directly from Lotus? I dont see a lot of user on the road driving lotus sport car… Yes, they do provide technical support for Proton. For me in this country, safety is more concern compare to road n handling by Lotus… Do normal user everyday drive through corners at high speed or drift? Just think about it…
Anyway those Volvo are actually famous for thier low pressure turbo & 5 cylinder 20V engine.. If you drive the new S80 with 2.5 Turbo, u will know how good the torque.
Anyway if Proton is really rich, i would like them to buy Volvo and combine both safety and road n handling by Lotus. Should be a great combination for Proton..
Ptoton by Volvo will be match in heaven. Can see on proton cars:
Handling by lotus
Safety by Volvo
Price by Proton
Is buying Volvo cheaper than building an F1 team? Go buy Volvo!
Proton has benefited from Lotus. I can testify that Proton cars beginning with Waja are stronger, handling better than most Japanese, Koreans and Chinese cars in their categories. We get Proton cars with European handling, Japanese reliability and Malaysian Price.
I would be happy even if Proton can develope something with VW (the Toyota of Europe).
Guess the Chinese govt will change its name from 'Volvo' to ' Wolwo' maybe? They changed 'Rover' to 'Roewe', wonder what will happen then?
Pity Volvo owners…. (including myself)