Polestar Teases High-Performance Volvo C30

Volvo might already be sold to Chinese company Geely but that doesn’t mean that existing partnerships should dissolve that quick.

Volvo has been collaborating with racing group Polestar Performance for quite a while now and Polestar’s proud to announce that they will be coming up with a ‘roid-upped version of the C30 with the C30 Performance concept.

Details are still scarce but Polestar claims that the C30 has a more than capable sporty hot hatch platform. So far, the car is set to get 395 hp and four wheel drive.

We can also expect that the car would pack a tuned sports suspension package. The silhouette of the teaser image hints of larger wheels and aero bits.

Ford Sells Volvo to Geely

One less car badge that would have a “Made in the USA” tag. Ford officially announced that it will be selling Volvo to Zheijang Geely Holding Group. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter and has to go through all the necessary bureaucratic hoopla.

Anyway, Geely will be shelling out $1.8 billion for Volvo which Geely will be paying in form of a note worth $200 million and the rest by cash. Jeez. How rich are the Chinese these days? Richer than you, that is.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally says that the sale will allow Ford to focus more on its brand.

While the most profitable of the Detroit Three (Chrysler’s even questionable now that it’s owned by the Italians), Ford is struggling to keep pace with other automakers. Hyundai overtook Ford as the world’s fourth largest automaker last year.

I wonder if ever being Chinese-owned will affect Volvo’s track record of safety. Maybe they’d start painting the car with lead-based paint and use panels made up of toxic plastic.

Geely to Acquire Volvo by Early 2010

Saab might not be going entirely to BAIC but another American-owned European will be shipped to China.

Zheijiang Geely Holding will be completing its takeover of Ford Motor Company’s Volvo group early next year.

Ford is the only member of the Detroit 3 not to declare bankruptcy or be sold. Still, Ford had a tough year seeing a drop in its revenue due to the auto sales drop. Hyundai has overtaken Ford to be the fourth largest automaker in the world.

Ford controls several divisions and subsidiaries including Mercury, Lincoln and Mazda but the sale of Volvo means that Ford will not be controlling any badge.

Geely is said to acquire Volvo for its $1.8 billion value.

Formula 1: Brawn GP Completes 1-2 in Italy

Brawn continues to assert its dominance in this season’s Formula One championship after orchestrating a magnificent 1-2 finish. Rubens Barichello clinches yet another victory while team mate and points leader Jenson Button secures his first podium in six races.

Major disappointment still for defending champion Lewis Hamilton who comfortably secured pole position for Team McLaren but crashed out late in the race. Hamilton dropped back due to strategy and crashed during the final lap trying to give Button the business.

Rounding up the podium finishers is Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. At fourth is Force India’s Adrian Sutil. At fifth is Renault’s Fernando Alonso and at sixth is Hamilton’s team mate, Heikki Kovalainen. Newly-signed Giancarlo Fisichella (coming from Force India) continues Ferrari second driver curse finishing ninth.

With the win, Brawn GP opened up a comfortable lead over rivals Red Bull with Mark Webber crashing out on the first lap and Sebastian Vettel placing eighth. Button saw his lead cut by 2 to 14 points over Barichello who is 12 points clear of Vettel.

Four races left for the season and the drama begins to heat up.

Volvo C30 Unveiled

I really appreciate automakers who release details of their motor show debutantes before the show. Volvo just does that with the new facelifted Volvo C30.

Powering the car is a wide array of engines including five diesels and three gasoline engines. The diesel choices power outputs range from 107 bhp to 177 bhp. The gasoline engines output from 96 bhp to 227 bhp.

That only means that you got to be wary of challenging C30s while at a red light while driving pocket drivers. You might be up against one with 227 bhps.

Ecomentalists might want to spring for any one of the two DRIVe eco models that pack the 1.6L diesel engine. The prime difference between the two models is the start-stop system. The one that has it gets 72.4 mpg and the other one gets 62.8 mpg.

Source: Autocar

Volvo Sees Opportunity in Economic Crisis

While Volvo has problems of its own, the Swedish car manufacturer still sees a way to benefit from the current global economic crisis affecting practically every other automotive company—be serving as an alternative to rivals BMW and Audi. Volvo is styling itself as “a more socially-acceptable brand,” according to Chief Operating Officer Steve Armstrong.

“We have a real opportunity for Volvo with respect to premium positioning,” added Armstrong. “As people cut back, it becomes a little less acceptable to flaunt your money.” That’s where Volvo comes in. With their relatively cheaper price tags, pride in the brand’s safety, and adequate features in every model, Volvo hopes to give consumers a lot of incentive at a more convenient price tag.

“Buyers who still want to reward themselves but don’t want to be ostentatious give us a great opportunity,” Armstrong said.

Of course, Volvo is still mired in some problems. Last year, Volvo’s sales were down 31 percent from 2007. Ford, Volvo’s majority owner, is seeking buyers for the brand. This period is critical for Volvo’s success, and the company wants to take full advantage of it.

Source: Autocar borstal boy divx movie online