Rumormill: Volvo reportedly suspends plan to launch production S60 at Frankfurt
Posted Aug 31st 2009 8:27AM by Sam Abuelsamid
Volvo S60 Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Volvo's plan to debut the production version of its all new S60 sedan next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show have apparently been canceled. According to a report out of the Netherlands from Autotelegraaf, the new mid-size sedan now won't launch until sometime in 2010. The S60 was shown in concept form at this year's Detroit Auto Show and was one of several concepts shown with Ford's upcoming 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. The reason for the delay isn't entirely clear, but there is apparently still work to be done and Volvo will be taking the S60 to the Nürburgring next month for test sessions.
Part of the delay may also have to do with Ford's attempts to sell the Swedish brand. The leading bidder is rumored to be Chinese automaker Geely, but there is opposition in Sweden to Chinese ownership. Separately owned truckmaker Volvo is concerned about damaging the brand name if it falls into Chinese hands and there are also issues with intellectual property rights with technology shared by Volvo and Ford. This last issue is also a concern for GM and Magna's bid to buy Opel with Russian backing. All of which serves to highlight the difficulty of trying to break up a large multi-brand automaker with shared technology.
[Source: Autotelegraaf.nl]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Soccer Mom 9:01AM (8/31/2009)
For some reason, I don't dig Volvo's designs. Somehow, their concept look shapeless, as if a chocolate car melted from exposure to heat. No elegance of MB or aggressive sportiness of BMW or simple and beautiful lines of Audi. Just shapeless front fascia derived from squarish designs that got partially smoothed out.
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AMcA 12:30AM (9/01/2009)
I totally disagree. This thing's gorgeous.
I'd love to see some independent buy up Volvo, and maintain a long-term relationship with Ford to use platforms, and buy engineering services.
Selling to technology to the Chinese would be a huge mistake. Just huge. They have no compunction about stealing intellectual property, and once they've done it, you're finished.
Aloysius Vampa 9:11AM (8/31/2009)
Damn it.
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Aloysius Vampa 9:11AM (8/31/2009)
I say that because the concept looks so incredible.
Randy 9:35AM (8/31/2009)
I like it. Although it looks like it might have visibility issues.
inteller 9:12AM (8/31/2009)
with Horbury gone, Volvo designs will never be the same.
With that said...and delay sucks big time.
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Paul 10:07AM (8/31/2009)
As a huge volvo fan this is an enormous blow - you simply can't idle along without a midsized sedan in that market segment.
Chris 12:07PM (8/31/2009)
Good thing then that Horbury is back :)
Louis 10:17AM (8/31/2009)
I love Volvo designs, and am looking to buy a new one. The S80 is nice, but the S60 is a better size. I was really hoping to see this car in its final form.
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Luso 10:20AM (8/31/2009)
Volvo (or a company owning the Volvo brand) cannot afford to miss Frankfurt. Aiming for 2010 (maybe Paris) will be a massive blow to Volvo.
http://www.carnorama.com
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