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.

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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

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So this is basically a supplement to recently reported news here that Geely was getting together a quarter billion dollars to do something, and it denied that its aim was to buy Volvo.

Now, the current Volvo CEO, Stephen Odell, has also denied that Geely is interested in purchasing the beleaguered auto company.

This actually leaves Volvo in a pretty bad spot–it’s a money losing division inside a money losing company in a bad economy.  You add all these little results together and it looks more like someone’s just waiting for Volvo to bottom out so they can swing in and buy up all of Volvo’s assets for pennies on the dollar.

Considering the only other firm to even express an interest was Beijing Auto, and they were knocked out of the running way back in June, this doesn’t mean anything good for Volvo.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Volvo XC60 3.2L

Volvo crossovers in the XC line have had great success in the U.S. The 2010 XC60, unveiled at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, adds a smaller, sportier angle to the company’s line up. The company has enlarged the XC lineup in the U.S. with the addition of a new 3.2L model, which falls in with the existing 3.0L T6 turbocharged model.

Pricing for the 235hp (175kW) 3.2L FWD model is $32,395 plus an $850 destination charge, and the AWD variation will cost you $34,395 plus the destination charge. Pricing for the 281hp (209kW) 3.0L T6 stays at $37,200 plus $850 in destination charges for the base FWD model.

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Volvo Cars announces a great value added plan that many Volvo car owners may want to check out. This is the Safe and Sound Coverage plan, a program that covers tremendous value to buyers by wrapping a comprehensive list of benefits into one package.

“This is best-in-class coverage,” said Tassos Panas, Executive Vice President, Sales Operations. “Today, consumers are looking for value, and Volvo has built an overall coverage program that adds value and peace of mind to their ownership experience.”

The Safe + Sound Coverage Program includes:

• 5 years/60,000 miles Scheduled Maintenance
• 5 years/60,000 Coverage on Wear Items
• 5 years/60,000 Manufacturers Warranty
• 5 years/Unlimited Roadside Assistance (On Call program)

Features:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Towing to your nearest Volvo retailer
• Computerized trip routing/map service
• Lockout assistance
• Trip interruption expense benefits
• Car rental discounts
• Jump-starting, winching, battery failure, changing a flat or emergency gasoline delivery
• Volvo retailer locator

(Source) Press

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Swedish automaker Volvo has announced that it will be releasing a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012 as the latest step under its ‘DRIVe Towards Zero ’ eco-campaign. This announcement also signals the organization of a joint-venture with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall to help assist with the development of the carmaker’s first production plug-in hybrid and future all-electric models.

Volvo also stated that it will have three new V70 plug-in hybrids testing on public roads in Europe by the middle of the year. It is worth noting that Volvo’s design will not be using the familiar petrol-electricity combination, but instead will utilize diesel fuel to give its cars even better efficiency over future rivals like the upcoming Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and Chevrolet Volt. No other details about Volvo’s design, including its expected fuel-economy, have been disclosed yet.

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