Thoughts from the Curb

Dec 1, 2008 - The Rant: Not so Fast with Volvo

While I trumpeted the amputation of brands at General Motors and I trombone the complete execution of Chrysler, I don't think Ford should be so quick to jettison Volvo. Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin were basically pretty (and often times costly) baubles that didn't really do much for Ford's bread-and-butter vehicle line-up. I doubt Explorer got any R&D help from Land Rover, for instance.

However, the Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Flex and Lincoln MKS are all based on a platform that dated back to the Volvo S80. That lineage almost certainly contributes to those vehicles' superb crash performance as well as their indestructable feel. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Volvo S40, V50, C70 and C30 are all based on the Mazda 3 and Euro Focus platforms. While selling off Volvo could still be a good idea for cash-strapped Ford, I don't think it's as clear cut as GM axing Saab, where not much comes back the other way from Trollhatten.

It could end up being good for Volvo, however, depending on who buys it. If it's a Chinese company or Tata, I'd think they're in a lot of trouble. Personally, I'd like to see BMW buy Volvo. It would give BMW a front-wheel-drive company to coordinate Mini with and maybe even Volvo's talented band of interior designers named Sven could chip in to snazzy up Bimmer's boring cabins. Volvo's driving dynamics (especially in ride quality) would be dramatically improved as well. BMW would probably laugh at the suggestion (they probably learned their lesson with Rover) and I have no idea about the economics of it all, but from a car fan stand point, I think Volvo could become a lot better under BMW. I like Volvo a lot -- at least their interior style and their boxy predecessors -- I just don't like driving them. Who better to fix that than the Bavarian Motor Works?

As for Ford, think wisely Blue Oval.

-James Riswick

6:41 pm | Categories: the rant, car news commentary Permalink | Alert Administrator

Add to: