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Ford may sell Volvo

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Old May 28, 2007 | 04:18 PM
  #1  
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Ford may sell Volvo

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070528/bs_nm/ford_volvo_dc

Mon May 28, 12:03 PM ET

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Loss-making Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) is planning to sell Swedish car maker Volvo (VOLVb.ST) and German carmaker BMW (BMWG.DE) could be a possible buyer, a Swedish newspaper said on Monday.
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The Goteborgs Posten daily reported on its website that a source within Ford said BMW has been studying a possible purchase of Volvo.

The Financial Times also reported last Friday BMW was in informal talks to buy Volvo.

"We cannot comment on speculation, this is a question for our owner," said a spokeswoman for Volvo cars.

Ford bought Volvo in 1999 and it is now part of the U.S. company's Premier Automotive Group, including Jaguar and Land Rover.

Ford does not disclose results for its individual brands, but taken together its luxury line-up lost $327 million in 2006.

Merrill Lynch has said Ford could raise over $9 billion by selling the remaining luxury car brands.

Volvo Cars Chief Executive Fredrik Arp told Reuters in March that Ford was committed to keeping the Swedish car maker.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 04:45 PM
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Good for Ford. Volvos are overrated junk heaps. Only good thing to come from Volvo was their anti-rollover system that Ford now uses.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by lone_wolf025
Good for Ford. Volvos are overrated junk heaps. Only good thing to come from Volvo was their anti-rollover system that Ford now uses.
I strongly disagree, Volvo has gotten much better at all levels thanks to Ford, and Volvo's are the basis for many current ford cars. I think the S40 and S60 are great looking cars that are more entertaining to drive than most cars in their class.

Ford better be careful here, Volvo IMO is a good part of their portfolio.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by brillo
I strongly disagree, Volvo has gotten much better at all levels thanks to Ford, and Volvo's are the basis for many current ford cars. I think the S40 and S60 are great looking cars that are more entertaining to drive than most cars in their class.

Ford better be careful here, Volvo IMO is a good part of their portfolio.
100% truth. Volvos get better looking and better performance every year.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 09:23 PM
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Most people don't even know Ford owns Volvo. Volvo will not be missed. I'm sure Ford snatched any innovative technology that it wanted already from them. Ford makes some more money and BMW gets to expand its car market.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 09:55 PM
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im sure volvo would do BMW more good because it would allow BMW to sell more mainstream vehicles. If Ford can get a good price for it, then they should definitely sell it, because Ford's core business should be more important than any ownership. And yes, Volvo is important to Ford. The safety technology from Volvo has greatly helped Ford in producing new vehicles. Volvo should remain because Ford does cater a little more to the male gender (muscle cars, suvs, trucks) while volvo has always catered a little more to the female side (remember reading that about 60% buyers are female.)
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Old May 28, 2007 | 10:49 PM
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It doesn't seem to be a very fruitful relationship.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by sosonic
Ford makes some more money and BMW gets to expand its car market.
I don't know that Ford would MAKE any more money. Lower their debt a little, maybe, but I don't know that they could actually MAKE any money.

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Old May 28, 2007 | 11:12 PM
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Bigger isn't always better.
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Old May 29, 2007 | 02:16 AM
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Down under Volvo sales are really very poor, Their line up is much improved over the "bricks" they built in the 70 and 80's to early 90's.

Remember Ford needs the CASH!
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Old May 29, 2007 | 11:12 AM
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Ford is desperate..............
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Old May 29, 2007 | 11:23 AM
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Not sure how this would benefit BMW as some of their products overlap/compete with each other.
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Old May 29, 2007 | 04:15 PM
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Volvo's just need to redesign some of their cars. They all look the same to me, they all have that Skyline R34 look to them. Not saying its a bad thing but when ALL their cars look like that its hard to say "Oh thats a XX Volvo and that one is a XX Volvo." I've had to go near the car and see the badge to tell the difference at times. That and their new V8 model I've seen commericals for again looks like the rest of their line up from a quick glance. I'm sure there are difference's but to a person that doesnt know much about 'em like myself I'd see no point in dropping that much cash on a car that looks just like the rest of the line up.

Oh and Ford should keep Volvo but attempt to shape it into something more pronounced. I can honestly say I have no idea where Volvo's market is at all, is it upper class, middle class, what?? Ahh never mind Ford doesnt know how to do that sorta thing.
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