Although Volvo is traditionally associated with all things Swedish, but Volvo’s new chairman is hoping to put down serious roots in China as well. “We are looking at a strategy of making China a second home market. Today we mainly only have one home market, in Sweden,” Volvo Cars China Chairman Freeman Shen said, in...
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Based on the success of the new-ish XC60 crossover, Volvo will look to move further downmarket with a rival for vehicles like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. According to at least one report, the move is part of a larger plan to not only increase the volume of models Volvo produces, but also to...
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You can help make a wish come true by test driving a Saab. If you’re after that warm, tingly feelings this holiday season, head to a Saab dealership, because the automaker will donate $50 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time a prospective customer test drives one of its cars before January 3rd. Not only is...
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The Saab 9-4x will come to America starting at a base price of $34,205 when it hits American dealers sometime in 2011. The $34k entry point will get you a front drive 9-4x with GM’s 3.0L direct injection V6. Moving up the ladder, the $38,075 Premium is laden with more opulent features and Saab‘s renowned...
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The annual Ward’s Auto list of 10 best engines gets a pretty decent amount of publicity, in light of how little people pay attention to the publication in the other 364 days of year. This year’s list includes not one but two electric powertrains, with the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf making the list, while...
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A recall has been announced for four late model Volvo vehicles due to an issue with the power seats that could post a safety risk. In total 7,420 vehicles could be affected by the recall, with the list including the S40, V50, S60 and XC60 crossover from model years 2009 to 2011. The issue surrounds...
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Despite the American introduction of diesel engines from most major European brands, Volvo remains non-committal to the prospect of diesel powertrains in America. Volvo offers a broad range of diesels in Europe and other markets, but Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volvo, offered little, stating “We are taking a deep look at whether we will introduce...
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NHTSA has announced that just over 6,000 2011 Volvos will be recalled due to an issue that could see a fuel cutoff engaged due to the engine computer’s parameter being too sensitive. Drivers could have the fuel cutoff engaged at an inappropriate time, causing the engine to stall. The defect is present in the 2011 S60,...
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Volvo‘s CEO Stefan Jacoby is calling for a new focus for Volvo, and wants to see the Swedish automaker abandon its position as a premium brand meant to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. “Let’s ditch this talk about premium,” said Jacoby while speaking to Autocar magazine. “It sounds like a pricing strategy and it’s...
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Taking a page from Hyundai’s playbook, customers who pre-order a Saab 9-4X crossover will get an iPad courtesy of Saab – sort of. After contacting a Saab retailer, the customer will place an order for both the 9-4X, and the iPad. The iPad will set you back $500, but the cost will be refunded upon...
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Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby announced a pilot project that will see 1,000 plug-in hybrid models based on the C30 hatchback. The vehicles will be offered in unspecified European and Chinese locations, as well as California. The plug-in hybrids are part of an approach to meet growing demands for environmentally friendly vehicles, as well as boost...
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Volvo is recalling nearly 10,000 cars in the United States due to the possibility of air bags failing to deploy properly. The recall involves 9,746 2010-11 S80 and XC70s and 2011 XC60s and 2010 V70s. Volvo said that the airbag issue involved “an intermittent fault in the driver’s airbag clock spring wiring connector for the...
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Saab is planning on letting buyers watch their cars get assembled at their Swedish plant via a webcam link, as the company seeks to move back to a more personalized buying process. Buyers will be encouraged to have their cars custom built, rather than picking from the dealer’s existing inventory. Buyers will be alerted to...
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Saab’s 9-4x crossover will finally see the light of day, and we have some of the first pictures of the car ahead of its Los Angeles Auto Show debut. Sharing much of the same architecture as the Cadillac SRX, the 9-4x also comes with the same 3.0L V6 and 2.8L turbocharged V6 engines, displacing 265...
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As a European automaker, its more than just a little strange that Volvo has never offered a small 5-door hatchback, considering cars like the VW Golf, Audi A3 and 5-door BMW 1 Series sell in such huge numbers overseas. True, Volvo has had the V50 for many years now, but it’s always been a bit...
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According to some leaked internal documents, the new Volvo V60 will come equipped with a 250-hp turbocharged 5-cylinder engine in base trim when it arrives at dealers here in North America in the Spring. When Volvo originally announced the new, second-gen S60 it only released info on the top-shelf AWD, 300-hp version. No pricing for...
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Volvo is set to enter the World Touring Car Championship in 2011, and while the brand isn’t normally associated with motorsports, the Volvo 850 wagon had a previous campaign in the British Touring Car Championship, where it was famous for being a station wagon, and having a penchant for going up on three wheels. Now,...
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Volvo is adding even more style and a touch more performance to its new S60 and V60 models thanks to an optional R-Design package. Officially unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, the R-Spec package is available with any engine choice (in Europe anyway). R-Design models are easily distinguishable by their new front-end, as well as...
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Saab has officially announced the start of a business relationship with BMW, signing an agreement today that will see the German automaker supply the Swedish company with powertrains for future products. In particular, BMW will supply Saab with turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines, designed to meet Saab’s specific requirements. These would be the same engines that...
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Recent reports have suggested that everyone from Mazda to General Motors is preparing to launch a diesel engine in North America and now Volvo appears to be joining that list. In a bid to meet the 2016 35-mpg CAFE regulations, automakers are doing whatever they can to improve fuel economy and diesels are an excellent...
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Under the new leadership of former VW USA CEO Stefan Jacoby, Volvo will look to rival established German automakers in areas of the market where they aren’t as well established. Before BMW can build up too strong of a following in the compact segment Volvo plans to launch a new platform that will be used...
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After numerous rumors, reports and plenty of speculation, Saab is set to sign a deal with BMW that will see the Swedish automaker get access to BMW technology and parts for future models. It is believed the first such model will include the a Saab small car based on the current MINI Cooper platform. News...
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Volvo unceremoniously killed off their S60R and V70R some years ago, but they still kept their R-design appearance packages around, for those who wanted a more aggressive looking Volvo. With the new S60 and V60 R-Design, the cosmetic upgrades are back, but a few mechanical changes are taking place as well. A strut tower brace,...
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Saab will release 70 electric vehicles based on the 9-3 SportCombi station wagon as part of a test fleet for its upcoming electric vehicle program. The vehicles, dubbed the ePower, will be offered in Sweden starting in 2011, with a mass production EV hitting the market in 2011. Using a 184 horsepower electric motor and...
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