http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/b...-buying-volvo/

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/b...-buying-volvo/

Quote:

Autocar says BMW seriously considered taking Volvo off of Ford's hands earlier this year, going so far as to request financial data about the company, which is surprising on several levels.

 

Alan Mullaly said in an interview that Volvo WAS NOT for sale, and was emphatic about it. I highly doubt that they would sell it, as they share ALOT of technology safety wise, and platforms.

 

For a right price everything is for sale.

 

you said it....if the price is right.

 

That being said, if BMW's price wasn't right I wouldn't bet on Volvo being sold anytime soon.

 

One Question, why does BMW want Volvo so bad, is it to get rid of competition, like Church's did to Popeye's here in the valley?

 

Hehe, funny you should mention that. Both church's and Popeyes are owned by the same Parent company based here in Atlanta called America's Favorite Chicken.

Why do I know this useless bit of information you ask ? I used to work in the same building where they are headquartered.

6 Concourse Pkwy., Ste. 1700
Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

Actually, its quite possible they wanted to place Volvo underneath BMW so they could move their primary brand upmarket. For example, take Volkswagen's lineup for competition: They'd slot Volvo against Volkswagen and BMW would face Audi.

 

I get your point, but since when has BMW been to busy fighting off VW to really focus on competing with Audi? If anything, i'd say Audi has been striving over the past decade to work it's way up to BMW's level. And Volvo definitely deserves more credit than being slotted against VW.
I don't really see why BMW would want to move up market anyways, they have so much brand equity with their lower end models as compared to things like the 760 or 650.

 

Ford eyes sale of Volvo cars, BMW interested



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

 

Serious info on this has been circling the European forums since about the same time as your initial post on the 9th. And, in light of the large amount of info behind this story, it would appear that the possibility of BMW buying Volvo imay not be the simple rumour many think. Good catch Red Star.

 

Well if your cash strapped, even though you might not want to, it still might be preferable to sell off some valuable assets to help keep the purse from getting to thin. Besides they'd probably have to pay somebody to take Jag or Land Rover.

 

And on the other hand, you have this Detroit News article in which Ford flatly denies that Volvo is for sale. As far as I'm concerned, it's all speculation and rumor until I see a headline that says "Ford sells Volvo".

 

Every auto maker that has unloaded a brand in recent memory has denied reports of the same until a transaction was virtually certain if not certain.....which indicates that denials mean nothing at this point. What is significiant is how long it took Ford to quash this rumour which almost certainly means that Ford is at least looking at the possibility of selling Volvo.

Perhaps Ford is just interested in seeing just how much somebody is willing to give for Volvo since everything does indeed have it's price. And then again perhaps Ford is seriously courting an offer from BMW. Whatever the case it may lead to nothing at all, or it may lead to a sudden off-loading of Ford's only Nordic brand.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Ford never denied Aston Martin was for sale as all the rumors swept the internet.

 

On the contrary. John Walton, General Manager of Aston Martin North America, repeatedly denied AM was for sale before the official announcement. In light of his position and the fact that he considers Bill Ford to be a personal friend I would say that he speaks for Ford.

 

Well, I did a search for articles about the Ford selling AM and couldn't find any that denied it.

 

I'm not surprised since it wasn't overly publicized. But in my experience they almost always deny it before they admit to it in the automotive world. Perhaps they should consider dual careers in light of this talent, one in the auto industry and the other as a politician.

 

Or maybe as a sports manager/coach.