Any talk of brands for sale in the auto industry invariably includes a Chinese automaker as one potential bidder. As such, it's not surprising to hear that Chinese automaker Geely is reportedly in the running to buy Volvo from Ford. Chinese media, however, have begun reporting that Geely has actually signed a deal with the Dearborn-based automaker to buy the last remaining brand from Ford's now-defunct Premium Auto Group.

Has it actually happened? Both Ford and Volvo have made no official statements that would confirm what's being reported in the Chinese media. Official confirmations usually come after a deal has been widely reported in the media, though. However, the only outlets reporting this rumor are from China. We haven't heard a peep from any Swedish-based news organizations, which is surprising considering they were on the ball last week reporting that Koenigsegg had struck a deal with General Motors to buy Sweden's other big auto brand, Saab.

Swedespeed.com actually asked Volvo if the reports of a sale to Geely were true. James Hope, Volvo's US Product Communications Manager, had this to say.

"An announcement related to the sale of Volvo Car Corp. would only come from Ford Motor Company. As of today [Wednesday, June 17, 2009], neither Ford Motor Company nor Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden has made any announcement regarding the sale of Volvo. Reports of such a sale by any media outlet are speculative and, therefore, are not accurate."

There you have it. If an agreement has been struck by Geely and Volvo's parent company Ford, nobody's except the Chinese are talking about it.

[Source: Autocar.uk, Swedespeed]

In a weird twist of fate, if Koenigsegg completes the purchase of Saab from General Motors, Volvo will also become a small stakeholder in its native rival. Koenigsegg, which has reportedly signed a letter of intent with GM to acquire Saab, gave Volvo 3,750 shares back in 2000 to pay for the use of its wind tunnel.

Volvo's stake in the exotic carmaker is very small, worth only about 8,000 Swedish kronor (€760 or $1,022 USD according to current exchange rates). Nevertheless, Volvo is on the books as part owner of Koenigsegg, and if the sale of Saab goes through, it will become a stakeholder by association – unless it divests itself of its Koenigsegg stock.

All of this must mean very little to Volvo, as a spokesperson for the company was completely unaware of his employer's holdings in Koenigsegg when asked about it by the Swedish business daily Dagens Industri.

[Source: SwedishWire.com]

In addition to the turbocharged 3.0-liter T6 model, Volvo has introduced a new, less expensive 3.2-liter variant of the 2010 XC60, with pricing starting at $32,395 for the front-wheel drive model and $34,395 for the AWD version (*plus $850 in destination charges). The inline six is the same mill that motivates the S80, putting out 235 hp and 236 lb-ft through a six-speed automatic gearbox, and returning a claimed 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Bluetooth integration, dual-zone climate control, eight speaker stereo, HD radio and a six month subscription to Sirius. Billed as the safest Volvo ever to roll out of Sweden, the XC60 is available equipped with "City Safety" automatic braking, anti-rollover control and a host of other features. All of the options are posted below the fold broken down by price and equipment along with Volvo's press release.

Swedespeed forum member al_bcn has managed to capture a pair of what looks to be Volvo's refreshed-for-2010 C70 convertibles totally undisguised. The topless twosome were caught galavanting around in Barcelona as they were apparently being shot for some sort of commercial.

The folding hardtop four-seater looks as if it benefits from a very similar front-end to the Concept S60 unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January. Incorporating a larger set of swept-back headlamps and a deeper, less upright grille, the C70's look is certainly evolutionary, but as it's a handsome enough model, we don't see this denting its appeal. Out back, the changes seem to be even more modest, with new headlamp lenses featuring more prominent backup lamps.

Whether there are substantive changes in the interior or under the C70's skin remains to be seen, but judging by the finished state of these cars, we expect to see them debut on the show circuit soon. Hat tip to Erik!



[Source: Swedespeed]

Lost in the bevy of numbers that is the Autoblog monthly sales report is the fact that Volvo just isn't selling very many cars in the U.S. any more. The Swedish automaker only sold 5577 units in May, and the downward trend started way before the automotive market hit the crapper. Given the sad state of Volvo of late, it's little wonder that Ford is desperately trying to sell the once profitable automaker.

Just because times are tough at Volvo doesn't mean it's time to give up. Volvo's new marketing initiative for the month of June addresses cost of ownership head-on. The Safe + Sound coverage plan is one of the most comprehensive warranty programs ever offered by any automaker. It includes 5 year/60,000 mile warranty coverage plus 5/60,000 free scheduled maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and – get this – wear and tear coverage that includes everything from wipers to brakes and rotors. Hit the jump to view the details on Volvo's Safe + Sound plan.

[Source: Volvo]

Episode #130 of the Autoblog Podcast sees Chris, Sam, and Dan kibbitzing over the obvious news, but it's not an All-GM-Bankruptcy show. Starting with General Motors (after all, it's a huge event) we move on to Magna's deal with Opel (and GM, coincidentally). Volvo's clever implementation of a diesel hybrid in its wagon comes next before talk turns to Fiat-based Chryslers. It all wraps up at about an hour and a half after we polish off some of your questions. Thanks for listening, hit us up at Podcast at autoblog dot com with questions/comments/praise/scorn.

Follow the jump to subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, add the show to your RSS aggregator... or listen to it right now!

Volvo and Vattenfall have just made an announcement that should hurry the Swedish car maker along the hybrid highway. The two companies have partnered to develop a plug-in diesel hybrid that is expected to begin series production in 2012 with the first three demonstration vehicles to be completed this summer. Volvo, of course, will supply the cars, while the energy giant will bring charging units and the actual carbon-free electricity to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) equation. Other hybrids being baked by the Ford-owned brand include a "micro-hybrid" for 2011 as well as the ReCharge concept.

Technologically, this PHEV is quite interesting. It will use 71% of its 11.3 kWh pack of lithium ion batteries to power the back wheels for about 30 miles (50 km). After that, the diesel engine takes over and will then drive the front wheels. The charging time for the battery is about five hours through a household type outlet and the car, which will use the body of the Volvo V70, will feature regenerative braking. Hit the jump for the official press release as well as a video outlining the program.

Starting grids, chicanes, kerbs and locking up the brakes diving into hairpins make you think of what car brand? Of course, Volvo. As promised, Volvo - The Game has been released today for free download for PC only - sorry Mac lovers (a group that probably includes a lot of Volvo owners...). Developed by SimBin, the game offers six Volvo models for turns on two tracks: the Eco Drive Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden and the Chayka track in Kiev, Ukraine.

When you're good enough to p0wn both those tracks and you tire of beating yourself, you can enter the Global Competition and go against Mad Swedish Maxes from around the world. But you better hurry - the first global competition begins today and runs until June 9 on the Eco Arena. The next one goes from June 10 to June 24. First prize for winning the global comp is a set of Pirelli tires up to 18 inches.

You can check out two gameplay videos and a development video after the jump, and download it yourself at the link below.

[Source: Volvo]

According to the Chinese auto newshounds over at Gasgoo, Geely has denied it has any interest in buying Volvo or Saab. The Swedish patients, being shopped by Ford Motor Company and General Motors, respectively, are still up for sale, however.

As the story goes, Geely chairman Li Shufu has been cited as remarking that too much money is being asked for the two marques. According to a press release detailed by Gasgoo, the automaker has stated that it "has not submitted, and has no plans to submit, any bids concerning the takeovers of 'Volvo' or 'Saab' as stated in recent press articles."

In related news, someone might want to tell the bookies at a certain UK gambling website, Ladbrokes, that they may want to adjust their odds. According to Autocar, the sports betting site that allows customers to wager on everything from darts to Italian volleyball even has a pool going for who will win the right to purchase Saab. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

[Sources: Gasgoo; Autocar | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

Mattias Vöcks is at it again. Back in 2006, the Swedish-born designer who normally spends his days hand-assembling supercars for Koenigsegg used the SEMA to debut his show-stopping custom 1967 Volvo Amazon that was once voted "Sweden's Hottest Volvo." That title may soon go out to another of Vöcks' stunning creations, this time based on the classic Volvo P1800 made famous in part as the car driven by Roger Moore in the British television series The Saint from the 1960s.

With help from Bo Zolland from Swedish design firm Vizualtech, Vöcks has added a few modifications to bring the shapely Swedish beauty to modern standards. Aerodynamics are improved by a rear diffuser, flat underbody tray and a front fascia that's been smoothed out and lengthened by 70mm. Powering the beast is a 4.4-liter V8 borrowed from a Volvo XC90 SUV that's been force-fed by a turbocharger and routes its 600 horses through a six-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.

According to a report by Auto Express, this custom Swede is slated to enter small-scale production at some unspecified date in the future. We can hardly wait.



[Source: Motor Authority, Auto Express]