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French car maker Renault has held talks with Ford about a possible purchase of Volvo cars, reports Reuters.

The two companies met last autumn to discuss a possible deal, but apparently the talks ended after the parties failed to agree on the value of the Swedish car maker.

Renault and Ford have held further discussions since then.

Renault and Volvo came very close to merging in late 1993. Opposition from within Volvo and from the Sweden Shareholder’s Association eventuall...Read the full article

I really think that would be ace!...I think that would be brilliant....that opens up a whole mix of things.......I hope it happens!

I'd like to see either:

1. Volvo still part of Ford - they have a strong range. If/when sales recover Volvo could be profitable again. They need a new 2.2-3.0l diesel engine and for the smaller models they need low capacity turbo engines - something Ford have either now, or in development.

 

2. Volvo sold to a car company with a future. A company with some similar ideals - strength, reliability etc. So NOT Renault.

 

3. Volvo and Saab platform sharing. They would have to produce very distinctive cars, so not to tread on toes, but if the Swedish government came in with a wad of cash both manufacturers could produce the types of cars that made them great in past history.

Ford continue to want to sell the family jewels.

If anything it really does show that Ford's management seem to have failed to fully integrate all of these divisions, that being what used to be called PAG, in to something which had value to Ford.   It was the right idea to take on brands which could be marketed where the Ford brand couldn't, but the question is what went wrong?   And why would someone else be able to make a better go of it?

As for Renault, I like that their cars are different, but to rebrand Volvo as Renault would effectively make it worthless.

Symanski:

It was the right idea to take on brands which could be marketed where the Ford brand couldn't, but the question is what went wrong?

What probably went wrong was that having taken over all these "prestige" makers the Ford hierachy could not resist micro-managing them rather than letting the existing management do their own thing. They end up destroying the very things that made the company successful and thus attractive in the first place. The other factor that nearly always seems to mitigate against American companies successfully taking over European companies, is the different management cultures. Americans seem to love holding lots and lots of committee meetings with hundreds of committee members and even more sub-committees, whereas Europeans make decisions more quickly and then just get on with implementing them.

Sounds like a good idea. Renault have never really had a successful large car range, so Volvo could supply that part of the combined range. Renault don't need any help in making their cars safer, but I'm sure they could make their cars more appealling with the new stylish ideas for interiors from Volvo; light woods and white or aluminium trim, duo-colour seat trims and neat panels of switchgear. Oh,and really comfortable seats of course. Volvo's collapse in sales numbers must be largely down to all the uncertainty about thei future as well as the current downturn: I certainly would consider buying a Volvo, but not if I thought they might not exist 6 months after buying it.

That's interesting because just this week i was reading that Ford was planning on migrating the Euro platforms accross to the US for production of the next Mondeo and Focus.  To me, that would be the ideal turnaround feature for Volvo, as the platforms are the same, the US production could be moved across to protect against the dollar weakness.  That alone would greatly help make Volvo profitable again.  If only Volvo wouldn't tweak the Ford chasis settings for the current Focus/C30/S40 range, it'd be a much better car, same applies to the Mondeo/S80.  Both use a Ford platform which in it's original guise is class leading, why bother messing with it.  I dislike the way renaults are to drive, so i'm totally against this idea.  It's not like it would fit with Nissan's rear-drive Infinity brand either.Just when you thought Volvo was settling into Ford nicely.

Volvo`s two USP`s (if thats possible?) used to be safety and boxy, Swedish practicality.

Safety - everyone has pretty much caught up with Volvo on this one - they should be pleased of the precedent they set though.

Boxy practicality - whatever you thought of the 240/740/760 era styling its what identified Volvo and gave them an image of tough, no nonsense, practical cars. It set them apart and thats what appealed to us Brits.

Today I believe Ford controlled Volvo have lost this essential element with all soft curves and over emphasised "Hips" (have you ever looked at the back of a C30 straight on?). Also why do we expect them to drive like Fords just because they use Ford chassis`. All the press I read marks them down for not driving as well as Focus et al. They are not supposed too, They are designed for safety and driving in sub zero temps.

Ford and Volvo should de-couple and Volvo should become independent, only the Swede`s understand Swedish design. 

 

 

jonfortwo:

have you ever looked at the back of a C30 straight on?).

But thats the point of it, its not just another box, its got character. Like Marmite you  love it or you hate it which is why its interesting unlike say an Audi A3 which stirs few people one way or the other.

My concern would be if Renault 'quality' and recent unappealing styling were to permeate Volvo it would destroy it for good.

I suspect it was Volvo's experiences with the Renault diesel tractor engine in the V40 (and the Audi 2.5 tractor in the bigger cars) that inspired it to come up with its D5, slated a bit these days but when launched was a very appealing motor compared to what was generally around. I know Renault engines are very much better now.. but so could Volvo do better too if given the means. For example the new S60 is apparently going to have a super clean 180bhp 1.6 petrol engine available.

 

I hope either this goes through or Volvo stays with Ford, rather than a Chinese buyer coming along.

 

The Apprentice:

its D5, slated a bit these days but when launched was a very appealing motor compared to what was generally around.

An all new, all-Volvo designed, twin turbo D5 has just been announced. Shame it wasn't ready in time for the XC60 launch, but it can't be far off.

"But thats the point of it, its not just another box, its got character. Like Marmite you  love it or you hate it " - Apprentice

I understand what you are saying.....but judging by the sales figures most people hate it. 

I am all for nice original design, but the detail on the C30 is poorly executed. 

 

 

jonfortwo:

I understand what you are saying.....but judging by the sales figures most people hate it. 

I am all for nice original design, but the detail on the C30 is poorly executed. 

Re. the sales figures, Volvo also had to convince a particularly fashion conscious type of buyer to actually go into a Volvo showroom in the first place - all too easy for these people to just buy an A3 like everybody else. I'm starting to see more of them about these days. I also can't help but think the C30 inspired the new Scirocco to some extent.