Three words I’d never thought that I’d type on this blog, easily, by far, are “Twilight”, and “Edward Cullen”.

I hate that movie, frankly.  Most of us probably do.  But since there are enough twelve year old girls amply willing to fork over their babysitting money for a chance to see a glittery emo boi vampire sparkle in the sun, then so be it.  Never let it be said that I won’t jump on a chance at getting new readers.

Anyway, you can now enter a contest that’ll get you a shot at your very own copy of the car that Edward Cullen drives in Twilight, a Volvo XC60.

Here’s how the contest works, via Reuters:

Starting Nov. 1, players can register at www.WhatDrivesEdward.com and will receive clues to help solve a series of puzzles. Since the puzzles increase in difficulty, players are encouraged to exchange hints through Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The contest runs for three weeks from November 1 through November 23.

So if you’re willing to crawl through a series of puzzles, you too just might take home a hot new Volvo.

Volvo is making sure that their new model scheduled for release in 2010 will be filled with safety features both for the driver and the pedestrians. As most people seek safer cars these days, avoiding accidents and injuries to people on the road may yet take turn for the better with the new Volvo S60’s new Automatic Braking Technology.

The Automatic Braking System will be able to detect pedestrians who walk in front of the car and avoid impacts at speeds below 15MPH. To make this possible, the system is made up of key parts such as a radar unit at the front grill and a camera by the rear view mirror. In short, the system acts as a reliable alternative just in case a driver would overlook the presence of people around the vehicle.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety will debut on the Volvo S60 in 2010.

(Source) Auto India

You’ve got to love the Chinese negotiation style. First they’re interested in Volvo, then they release a statement saying they’re not.  Then they follow THAT up by announcing they’re trying to raise two hundred and fifty million dollars, which they IMMEDIATELY follow up by saying that it’s not at ALL for buying Volvo because that’s not near enough money for the beleaguered loss-leading car line.

“The size of the bond and warrant issue is not enough compared with what would be needed for the Volvo takeover,” the executive was quoted as saying.

See, that’s exactly what they said.  It kills me, really it does, but it sounds for all the world like they’re interested.  They’re hiding it really well but they keep dropping hints.  Lots, and lots, and lots of hints.

I suppose only time will tell, but I expect to be hearing the phrase “will tender an offer” soon.

Despite the fact that Ford is still the last of the big three automakers to not have accepted any government bailout money, they’re still operating in a tough environment.  Let’s face it–everybody’s been operating in a tough environment ever since about 2007.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone to hear this:

“We plan to sell,” Booth said. “It’s not about Volvo, but because we want to focus on Ford. The situation for Ford around the world is still tough. Ford is still losing money.”

Ford is still losing money and they want to focus on Ford.  Well, frankly, you can hardly fault them for planning to deal with their own problems and, meanwhile, spin off some divisions.  Especially given that Volvo is a loss-maker for Ford.

Who’s going to buy?  Well, some have said that the Chinese are interested.  But some Chinese firms have said that they never actually made an offer.  If something doesn’t happen soon, Volvo will be Ford’s albatross.

Remember back in March when we were talking about all those vague rumors about who wanted to buy Volvo out from under Ford?

Turns out the name of the business is Geely Automotive, along with a state-owned partner.  Both of these outfits are flush with cash while riding one of the largest domestic car market expansions in history.

Now, this move actually helps Geely out pretty substantially, as its cars are big, BIG names at home but they’re not so hot abroad.  I don’t know about you but I hadn’t even heard of “Geely Automotive” before today.  But if they can get some of their cars and manufacture them under the Volvo banner, they’ll get a serious halo effect advantage from the Volvo name.  Everyone’s heard of Volvo, after all, and a Geely car made by Volvo would have a better public perception.

We’ll keep an eye out and see if this deal goes anywhere, or if it’s just more corporate smoke and mirrors.

Buzz circulating the internet suggests that Volvo is gearing up to debut an all-electric C30 concept at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The car in question will reportedly by a hatchback which an anonymous source at Volvo speaks of below:

“One of the cars that will be shown at the Innovation for Life event will be an all-electric C30 and that car will be driven. At the moment, the all-electric C30 is just a concept and Volvo has no current plans to put it into production.”

And when asked if it will ever see the light of day, the source responded:

“It is an evaluation concept… It’s being worked on and is part of an ongoing evaluation and we will make a decision in the future. At the moment, we are not considering putting it into production.”

So folks, make sure you check in for our Frankfurt Motor Show coverage next month.

via AutoblogGreen

In one of the tempting deals seen yet to entice car purchase, Volvo Cars of North America announces a special treat that should really spur some sales. The new Volvo Overseas Delivery Program offers a very tempting offer where you can get the chance to win 2 free tickets to West Sweden and make use of your purchased Volvo vehicle with no extra charge.

The promo starts from July 20 to September 1. Visitors simply have to register at the site and create an ideal Swedish travel itinerary with the online trip planner. The submitted itinerary will be entered for a chance to win which covers one week of hotel stays, flights for two and use of a Volvo car for an unforgettable experience.

Volvo will provide two complimentary airline tickets to Gothenburg, Sweden, where the customer will pick up their new car directly from the Volvo factory. Then, they can head out on a European road trip and simply drop off the car and Volvo will ship it to the United States for free.

Now with that deal, what more can you ask for? No more worries on car rentals or modes of transportation. Better yet, you are using your own car which also comes with insurance good for 15 days.

(Source) Press

It was recently made known that Volvo is gearing up to a unveil the XC60 R-Design at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The R-Design will feature a new front grille bearing the R-Design badge, an updated body kit and the choice of either 18 or 20 inch wheels. Despite featuring a lowered look due to the body kit, the R-Design retains the XC60’s suspension which will make it a very capable off road vehicle.

On the inside, R-Design buyers will be greeted with sport seats embossed with the R-Design badge, aluminum pedals, leather uphostery and blue gauges to complete the look.

Read (WorldCarFans)

The new generation Volvo hybrid double deck buses made a memorable debut today at the Alexandra Palace, signaling the start of eco-friendly transportation that are tasked to render service to Arriva London.

A total of six Volvo B5L Hybrid Double Deck buses have recently entered service on Route 141 in the UK’s capital city and representatives from Volvo Bus and Arriva London, together with other stakeholders gathered to formally mark another historic occasion at the Alexandra Palace.

The new Hybrid Double Deck buses offer savings both in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Evidence from test tack development and in service field trials with Arriva London show significant savings in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (C02) emissions as well as reduction in Nitrous Oxides and particulates.

(Source) Press

Volvo has received a new order for 125 trucks from Vijay Leasing Company in Hydreabad, India, to be delivered this summer which will be used in coal and steel mines for Southern India. At the moment, Vijay Leasing Co. already has 108 Volvo trucks under its fleet.

In Volvo Trucks’ full ten-year presence in India, this is the largest order ever and a milestone, according to Pär Östberg, member of Volvo’s Group Executive Management and President of Trucks Asia. There are a total of 5,500 Volvo trucks in India, which is the world’s fourth largest truck market.

“In India, Volvo Trucks belongs to the premium segment and has secured a place as the leading manufacturer in terms of safety and environmental responsibility”, says Pär Östberg. “We have a solid customer base, very strong customer relationships and the best aftermarket solutions”.

The sale is being conducted through VE Commercial Vehicles, which is a joint-venture launched in 2008 between Volvo and the Indian company, Eicher Motors. VE Commercial Vehicles comprises Eicher Motor’s trucks and buses, and the Volvo Group’s truck sales and service network for trucks and buses.

(Source) Press

Volvo is shifting into high gear for their fuel cell technology venture, possibly creating additional jobs in Stockholm if everything goes according to plan. Swedish Energy Agency and the Volvo Group are investing SEK 200 M in Volvo’s development of fuel cells. The investment will create around 100 new positions in the Gothenburg region within the next three years.

In the autumn of 2009, Powercell Sweden will need to hire around 60 people in an entirely new plant in the Gothenburg region. Per Wassén, who is Investment Director at Volvo Technology Transfer and chairman of Powercell Sweden AB, foresees that the company will create around 100 new jobs within the next three years.

With the growing need for alternative energy and fuel for various means but largely for vehicles, fuel cell technology can truly be a big help towards the efforts of local motorists and car companies. A fuel cell resembles a small battery. It is charged with hydrogen gas and converts this into electricity, water and carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction.

The areas of use can be power supply units for households, trucks, boats, radio masts in remote locations and electric hybrid vehicles. Compared with normal diesel or gas-powered engines, fuel cells produce significantly less carbon dioxide and no emissions at all of particulates and nitrogen oxides. In addition, they are more efficient, smaller and lighter.

(Source) Press

Volvo has recently announced that they are issuing a recall for 17,614 2008-09 vehicles including the S80, V70 and XC70 models.

The automaker says that there is an error in the on-board software’s programming that could potentially cause the engine’s cooling fan to fail. This means bad air-conditioner performance but more importantly could cause the engine to fail raising all sorts of safety risks.

Volvo says to head to their local dealership to get the car inspected and outfitted with a new fan control module, if necessary, free of charge.

Volvo has been constantly on the news, mostly catering to the trucks needed in the various sectors of business the past days. Now it announces new proprietary medium-heavy engines slated to come out this 2010. With the weakened demand for trucks, the need to cut cost in getting engines from suppliers is evident. Hence, with an in-house production, the issue of inventory storage cost can be addressed as well as deteriorating quality for trucks distribution.

In his presentation, Mikael Bratt, CFO of the Volvo Group, described the measures being implemented throughout the Group to reduce cost levels and improve cash flow. He also said that the Volvo Group has high liquidity reserves despite the sharp economic downturn, and that the company has an advantageous loan structure with few loans maturing in the next two years. Furthermore, with its global presence, the Group has excellent opportunities for raising loans on the capital market.

This measure is seen as something similar to the cost-cutting measures that most auto companies are undertaking these days. And with Volvo being a reliable brand and yet getting the cheap end of demands, wiser management strategies need to be implemented as well.

(Source) Press

Volvo makes another first as it has announced that they will be the first company to introduce the NAVTEQ Mapcare program that is expected to help in the navigational problems for motorists on the go. The program is a self-updating program that will now be equipped in premium segment vehicles of Volvo.

Therefore, from the model year 2010 release in June this year, customers buying a Volvo C30, S40, V50, C70, V70, XC70, S80, XC60 or XC90 with navigation will be eligible to receive two complimentary map updates.

Each car will include a registration card for the customer to complete and return in order to automatically receive the updates at the address of their choice and NAVTEQ will handle the registration and shipment. The program will be available through all Volvo Car Corporation dealerships in Western and Eastern Europe, North America and Russia.

“We believe this program will increase satisfaction and loyalty as customers will always have the latest maps. In addition, valuable opportunities for communication and cross-selling will be created,” explains Jeff Mize, executive vice president, sales, NAVTEQ. “It is a particularly convenient service for drivers of fleet or lease cars as it provides a clear channel to acquire map updates.”

This can only be a great welcome to people who want to get more car features that will help them save on gas. This new program promises to be something that will once again make Volvo one of the premier cars oozing with features that can be a preference for car buyers to date.

(Source) Press

For Volvo Powertrain, it was either reduce the working hours of their salaried employees or lay them off. And of course we all know that the logical choice is the former. And that was exactly what both the Volvo Powertrain Management and local PTK trade unions agreed to, a result of the continued business decline.

The agreement with the PTK unions in Skövde applies from July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. Work hours will be reduced by a maximum of four working days per month and pay reduced by a maximum of 10% during the agreement period.

Moreover, the salary level applicable following this year’s pay review is being reduced by 3% and the amount converted to 12 non-working days. The company guarantees that no new layoff notices will be issued during the agreement period.

The agreement covers 400 salaried employees in Skövde. In the voting carried out among PTK’s members yesterday, a majority of 86 % voted in favor of the proposed agreement.

(Source) Press