Do you know where Volvo is made? The country of origin of this car deserves all praise. It is produced in Sweden. The car is produced by the Swedish concern Aktiebolaget Volvo. The concern deals with commercial and engines and various equipment. Previously, it was possible to purchase passenger cars from the Volvo concern. Unfortunately, the cars were sold to the branch of the Ford concern called Volvo Personvagnar. In turn, Ford transferred it to Geely.

The headquarters of the concern is located in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. From Latin "volvo" is translated as "I roll" or "I spin".

history of the company

The company was founded by Assar Gabrielson and Gustaf Larson in 1915. In fact, it was a subsidiary of the popular SKF bearing manufacturer. The first production vehicle, the Jakob OV 4, left the factory gates on April 14, 1927. She had a 28 horsepower engine and a top speed of 90 km / h.

The country of origin of the Volvo car is beautiful! Who becomes the president of the concern in 1956? Of course, Gunnar Ingellau! He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. During his work, the company flourishes. Exports to the USA start in 1956. In the United States in 1957, 5000 Volvo cars were sold. The volume of car production is increasing. In 1956, 31,000 items were produced, and in 1971, 205,000 items were produced.

The country of origin "Volvo" has a temperate climate, mainly thanks to the Gulf Stream. It is very pleasant to work here. It should be added that Niels Ivar Bolin also worked tirelessly at Volvo. He is the author of the three-point seat belt. For the first time in the world, the Volvo PV 444 and P120 Amazon brands were equipped with this element.

The Р1800 model is designed as a two-seater sports coupe. It was released in 1960. And the production of the Volvo 144 began in 1966. It was this model that was equipped with a dual-circuit brake working system. And it was here that the deformable zones of the body were installed. This is an amazing Volvo! Which country of manufacture is capable of inventing such a candy? Of course, only Sweden.

In 1976, Volvo's creators developed the Lambda Sond oxygen sensors. In the same year, waste gas was created.

The Volvo Personvagnar passenger car division was sold to Ford in 1999. The concern was able to sell the division for $ 6.45 billion. Volvo Personvagnar AB is known in the USA as Volvo Cars. And since 1999 this branch has been transformed into a division of the Ford concern. But in December 2009, Ford announces the sale of Volvo Personvagnar AB to China's Zhejiang Geely Automobile. The branch is now worth $ 1.8 billion. On March 29, 2010, the Chinese enterprise officially signs the documents. These are the papers for the acquisition of the Volvo Cars brand from the Ford Motor company. The deal was completed on August 2, 2010.

Management and owners

Why does everyone choose Volvo? The country of origin knows the answer to this question. To do this, you need to find out who is the biggest shareholder of AB Volvo? Of course, the Chinese concern Geely. Until 2010, Renault S.A. owned about 20% of the company's shares. She was then the largest owner. In 2012, these shares were acquired by the Chinese concern Geely.

Louis Schweitzer is chairman of the board of directors of this magnificent organization. And Leif Johansson holds the positions of executive director and president at the same time.

Organization's activities

At the moment, the concern "Volvo" supplies trucks to the Swedes. In addition to trucks, the company supplies construction equipment, buses, marine engine systems, financial services and space components.

In general, the Volvo brand is owned by the Geely holding. The Volvo concern also manages the brands:

• Renault Trucks.
• Nissan Diesel.
• Mack.
• Prevost.
• Nova Bus.

The holding consists of nine manufacturing companies and eleven business units.

Volvo in Russia

The official sale of Volvo cars in the USSR started in 1989. It should be noted that the much-needed Sovtransavto has been purchased since 1973.

The Volvo trademark ... The manufacturing country is located in Northern Europe, in the center of civilization. At present, the Volvo concern in Russia is represented by the companies Volvo Vostok CJSC and VFS Vostok LLC.

Volvo has built a new plant in Kaluga. The launch of this production took place on January 19, 2009. The production capacity of this plant is very high. It is 15,000 trucks per year. It is planned to install Volvo FM and models here. This is the first full-scale production of commercial trucks of a foreign brand in the Russian state. A little later, the Volvo Truck Center-Kaluga was built on the Volvo factory site. This center became operational in the summer of 2009. Volvo Holding has adopted a complex transport solution. Manufacturing, sales and service are now done in one place.

Corporation

Consider one of the industrial companies owned by the Volvo concern. Country of origin Sweden is proud of its brainchild, its car manufacturer. Volvo Trucks Corporation ranks among the world's top heavy truck manufacturers. This company was founded by Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielson in 1916. It is a subsidiary of the popular SKF bearing manufacturer.

The first serial car left the factory gates in 1927. The company gained complete independence from SKF in 1935.

At the beginning of 1928, the first truck appeared. He was named "LV Tier 1" and was an incredible success. A two-liter four-cylinder engine was installed on it. The engine power was 28 horsepower.

Can anyone forget the Volvo? The country of origin will, on occasion, remind you of this concern. Indeed, in terms of volume in the world market, it is in second place. In 2006, Volvo Trucks sold 105,519 trucks.

Volvo trucks are considered comfortable and safe. The global international Volvo Trucks Corporation includes industrial and design centers located in the USA, Brazil, Sweden and Belgium. It includes an incredible number of assembly firms around the world. Some businesses present the corporation as a co-founder along with local production groups. Of course, there are organizations directly owned by the Volvo Group.

Renault Trucks in Russia

The first Renault trucks appeared in Russia in 1912. In the Russian Empire, the Ministry of War organized a race, and Renault took part in it.

In 2012, Renault Trucks celebrated its centenary in the Russian market. The company owns its own production workshop at the Kaluga Volvo plant. In 2009, the production of the Premium Route tractor began. Today, the plant assembles heavy trucks of the Premium and Kerax models. At the end of 2014 it is planned to start production of the latest model line of Renault Trucks trucks.

And in June 2013, an unforgettable ceremony was held in the Kaluga Region. The foundation stone of the future plant was laid. The company plans to manufacture cabins for Volvo and Renault trucks.

Volvo Personvagnar AB (Volvo Cars) sold in 2010 - the Ford concern transferred 100% of the shares of its former division to the holding Zhejiang Geely Holding Group from China, which already has one global automaker - Geely Auto.

The main production facilities of Volvo Cars are currently located in the European Union - factories in Torslanda, Uddevalla and Ghent. The company plans to open several factories in the PRC to meet the needs of the dynamically developing domestic market.

Volvo cars are not assembled in the Netherlands. By the end of 2012, Mitsubishi Motors, the owner of the plant since 2001, was going to close the plant or sell it for a nominal fee if certain conditions are met. Once upon a time, the following models came off the assembly line of the plant: 440, 460, S40 b V40.

Volvo cars - S40 and S80L were produced at the Changan Ford plant in Chongqing, China.

Volvo Cars sold about 422 thousand vehicles in 2012. The largest market for Volvo cars is the North American market. So, in the US market in 2012, 68,079 cars were sold. Contrary to the company's expectations, the Chinese market did not grow, under the pressure of competitors who deployed their production in China, there was a decline in sales. The opening of a plant in the PRC, cheaper cars due to the absence of customs duties, will significantly increase sales. Today the duty is up to 25% of the cost of a car.

Which plant produces the most Volvo cars?

The company's plant in the Belgian city of Ghent in 2011 collected about 265 thousand cars, and in 2012 about 258 thousand cars. The production of small cars is a landmark for the plant; the growth of production is associated with them.

Volvo production in Russia.

Back in 2002, the first production of trucks of this brand was launched in Zelenograd. In connection with the company's plans to open a modern high-capacity plant in Russia, production in Moscow was closed in 2008. In January 2009, a Volvo Group plant was opened in Kaluga with a design capacity of 15,000 vehicles per year. The main products are trucks of the Volvo range: FH, FM and FMX.

The Swedish concern, producing quality and majestic Volvo cars, has become one of the most influential premium cars in the European market. This happened in the last seven years, but after all, from 2000 to 2007, the concern did not develop, offering customers the same models with old engines. The secret of the Swedish car company's success lies in its alliance with the Chinese. The formal Geely corporation simply bought out the Swedish company, but the deal looks more like a merger.

The Chinese pledged not to rename the brand, to keep the European brand Volvo, the country of origin must remain Sweden, and Geely has no right to use the technical developments of the concern in its cars. I wonder if the Chinese are honoring the signed agreement?

Are there other countries in the world where Volvo is assembled?

Many car enthusiasts confuse Sweden with other Scandinavian and European countries, believing that Volvo is assembled in Norway, Switzerland or even Germany. In fact, Volvo's only plant is located in Gothenburg, Sweden. This enterprise, even after the purchase by the Chinese of the concern, remains in this city and does not reduce its activities.

On the contrary, the Chinese investment gave the Swedish company a huge boost. There are several important aspects that changed in 2007:

• money and technical capabilities appeared for the development of a completely new model range;
• the efforts of the designers of the already powerful company Geely and the Swedes joined together;
• the Volvo brand has received a huge Chinese market, where its cars are sold without extra duties;
• new technologies began to be introduced into machines, thanks to generous investments;
• the plant expanded its staff, improved production lines, and received many other benefits.

If today we consider the manufacturability of car manufacturers, we can safely say that Volvo is one of the best factories in Europe. There is the latest equipment, all assembly processes are fully automated. The cars are not just of high quality, they finally match their price tag. Until 2007, Volvo cars were bought only in Scandinavian countries. They were too expensive and outdated.

Chinese cars Geely after cooperation with the Swedes

Immediately after the unification of European and Chinese manufacturers under the roof of one concern, Geely had new models that were three heads taller than their predecessors. In fact, the entire lineup has changed, new engines began to produce more horses, requiring less fuel. And the appearance of the Emgrand series has gone ahead a lot.

We offer you to enjoy a video test drive of the new Emgrand EC7

Video:

In the model line of Geely even a crossover appeared, which had not been announced before. Such changes are associated with the following options for the development of the company:

• despite the ban on the use of Volvo technologies, the Chinese drew certain achievements of the Swedes to their side;
• as a result of bilateral cooperation with European engineers, new developments were obtained;
• the company was replenished with a good profitable asset and was able to invest in its own production;
• engineers from Sweden were invited to China.

The latter assumption is a verified and proven fact. But Geely deny that this is due to the development of the successful Engrand series. However, for the consumer, there is no difference. If a company makes good cars, let it take technology wherever it suits it. More important for the consumer is how high-quality a car he can buy in the showroom. That is why the Swedes today are quite satisfied with the seven-year cooperation with the Chinese.

The plant in Gothenburg grows and develops, the brand acquires new models, and the Geely corporation fulfills all its main promises.

Summing up

Over the past few years, Volvo has updated almost the entire model range. Not so long ago, it was announced that the last old XC90 SUV was discontinued, and a few weeks after this news, the first spy photos of the new development appeared.

The company was able not only to update the model offer and make an amazing success in the global automotive market, but also surprised all potential buyers and experts with excellent technologies, the development of which costs a lot of money.

It is not so important in which countries the Volvo is assembled, because the perception of the car, its reliability and comfort are much more important. If you have experience operating a Volvo for the last seven years of production, describe your emotions from this car in the comments.

THE BIRTH OF VOLVO

The birthday of VOLVO is considered April 14, 1927 - the day when the first car called "Jacob" left the factory in Gothenburg. However, the real history of the Concern's development began several years later.
The 1920s are characterized by the beginning of the real development of the automotive industry simultaneously in the USA and Europe. In Sweden, they really became interested in cars in 1923 after an exhibition in Gothenburg. In the early 1920s, 12 thousand cars were imported into the country. In 1925, their number reached 14.5 thousand. In the international market, manufacturers, in pursuit of increasing their volumes, did not always selectively approach components, so the quality of the final product often left much to be desired, and as a result, many of these manufacturers quickly went bankrupt. For the creators of VOLVO, the issue of quality was fundamental. Therefore, their main task was to make the right choice among suppliers. In addition, tests were carried out after assembly. To this day, VOLVO follows this principle.

THE CREATORS OF VOLVO

Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson are the creators of VOLVO. Assar Gabrielsson The son of Gabriel Gabrielsson, the office manager, and Anna Larsson, was born on 13 August 1891 in Cosberg, Skaraborg. He graduated from the Higher Latin School Knorra in Stockholm in 1909. Received a BA in Economics and Business from the School of Economists in Stockholm in 1911. After working as a clerk and stenographer in the Lower House of the Swedish Parliament, Gabrielsson got a job as a trade manager at SKF in 1916. He founded VOLVO and served as President until 1956.

GUSTAF LARSON

The son of Lars Larson, a farmer, and Hilda Magnesson, was born on July 8, 1887 in Vintros, County Erebro. In 1911 he graduated from Erebro Technical Elementary School; received an engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in 1917. In England from 1913 to 1916 he worked as a design engineer at White and Popper Ltd. After graduating from the Royal Institute of Technology, Gustaf Larson worked for SKF as a manager and chief engineer of the company's transmission department in Gothenburg and Katrinholm from 1917 to 1920. He worked as a plant manager and later as Technical Director and Executive Vice President of Nya AB Gaico "from 1920 to 1926. Collaborated with Assar Gabrielsson to create" VOLVO ". From 1926 to 1952 - Technical Director and Executive Vice President of "VOLVO" company.

TWO PEOPLE UNITED BY ONE IDEA

Throughout his several years at SKF, Assar Gabrielsson noted that Swedish ball bearings were inexpensive compared to international prices, and the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a production of Swedish cars that could compete with American cars grew stronger. Assar Gabrielsson worked with Gustaf Larson for several years at SKF, and the two people, having also worked together for several years in the British automotive industry, learned to recognize and respect each other's experience and know-how.
Gustaf Larson also had plans to create his own Swedish automotive industry. Their similar views and goals led to cooperation after the first few chance meetings in 1924. As a result, they decided to found a Swedish automobile company. While Gustaf Larson hired young mechanics to assemble cars, Assar Gabrielsson studied the economic background for their vision. In the summer of 1925, Assar Gabrielsson was forced to use his own savings to fund a trial series of 10 passenger cars.

The vehicles were assembled at Galco s Stockholm, drawing on the interests of SKF, which had a capital stake in VOLVO of SEK 200,000, and SKF also made VOLVO a controlled but growing car company.

All work was moved to Gothenburg and neighboring Hisingen, and SKF equipment was eventually moved to the VOLVO production site. Assar Gabrielsson identified 4 basic criteria that contribute to the successful development of a Swedish car company: Sweden was a developed industrial country; low wages in Sweden; Swedish steel had a solid reputation all over the world; there was a clear need for passenger cars on Swedish roads. Gabrielsson and Larson's decision to start production of passenger cars in Sweden was clearly formulated and based on several business concepts: - production of VOLVO passenger cars. VOLVO will be responsible for both the design of the machines and the assembly work, and materials and components will be purchased from other companies; - strategically secure with the main subcontractors. VOLVO must find reliable support and, if necessary, partners in the field of railway transport. - concentration on exports. Export sales began a year after the start of the conveyor production. - attention to quality. Neither effort nor expense can be spared in the car building process. It's cheaper to get production right in the beginning than to allow mistakes and fix them at the end. This is one of the main benchmarks of Assar Gabrielsson. If Assar Gabrielsson was shrewd in business, then the brilliant financier and merchant Gustaf Larson was a genius in mechanical engineering. Together, Gabrielsson and Larson controlled VOLVO's two main areas of business - economics and mechanical engineering. The efforts of two people were based on determination and discipline - two qualities that were often the key to the success of business in industry during the first half of the 20th century. This was their common approach, which laid the foundation for VOLVO's first and most important value - quality

NAME VOLVO

The SKF company acted as a serious guarantor of the production of the first thousand cars: 500 with a convertible top and 500 with a rigid one. Since one of the main activities of "SKF" is the production of bearings, the name "VOLVO" was proposed for cars, which means "I roll" in Latin. Thus, 1927 was the year of birth of VOLVO.

A symbol was needed to characterize his child. Steel and Swedish heavy industry have become that, ever since cars were made from Swedish steel. The "symbol of iron" or "symbol of Mars" as it was called after the Roman god of war, was placed in the center of the radiator grille on the first VOLVO passenger car and later on all VOLVO trucks. The "sign of Mars" was tightly attached to the radiator using the simplest method: a steel rim was attached diagonally across the radiator grill. As a result, the diagonal stripe has become a trusted and well-known symbol for VOLVO and its products, in fact one of the strongest brands in the automotive industry.

1926

On August 10, 1926, Assar Gabrielsson's forecasts convinced SKF management to put its idle funds into circulation by investing in VOLVO, in addition to the 200,000 SEK previously deposited. In addition, SKF provided an additional loan of SEK 1,000,000 to VOLVO, thereby covering VOLVO's previous losses that had accompanied it in its early years before making a profit in 1929. By 1935, VOLVO was receiving profit over the next 5 years. SKF, having received several issued shares, increased its capital share to SEK 13,000,000. The management realized that the time had come to register VOLVO shares on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, which was approved by the shareholders. The acquisition by SKF of a significant part of the shares provided them with an immediate increase in value and earned the title of "People's" that still exist today.

1927

The first series production car, the OV4 "Jacob", left the Hisingen plant in Gothenburg on 14 April. By this event. marked the birth of a new era in Swedish industry. "Jacob" was based on the American model, where the chassis had leaf springs at the front and rear. The four-cylinder engine developed power up to 28 hp. at 2,000 rpm. The maximum speed of this car was 90 km / h, but the cruising speed was declared at 60 km / h. The car was mounted on so-called "artillery wheels", which had natural wood spokes and a removable rim. The body was five-seater and had a convertible top and four doors inside, it was trimmed in leather and mounted on a frame made of ash and beech. The sales value of this convertible was 4,800 kronor and the hardtop was 5,800 kronor. In the first year the production rate was very low due to the very strict quality commitments undertaken by VOLVO

1928

The hard-top version was much more successful than expected, so the plan to produce 500 convertibles and 500 with a hard top was quickly adjusted. The production of the VOLVO "Special" was started, which was given the model name PV4. The bonnet has become longer, the shape of the front end is more aerodynamic, the windshield is somewhat shorter. The model was equipped with a rear rectangular lamp and a bumper. Front-wheel brakes were announced as an option and cost 200 CZK to install. Ernst Grauer is the man behind the beginning of VOLVO's success. He was kind of the first dealer of the company through which the entire OV4 series passed

At the same time, VOLVO began production of the Type 1 truck. Subcompact trucks were already produced on the "Jacob" chassis in 1927, the project itself already existed in 1926. Production of trucks was a success. In 1928 in Finland, in Helsinki, the first representative office of Oy VOLVO Auto BA was opened.

1929

After Jacob began production, VOLVO began developing the six-cylinder engine.
The first car with a six-cylinder PV651 engine was presented in April. The letters PV in Swedish stand for crew, and the numbers 651 stand for six cylinders, five seats and the first series.
The PV651 was a car longer and wider and with a frame much stiffer than the Jacob. The more powerful motor was appreciated, especially in taxis.
In 1929, 1,383 cars were sold. 27 were sold for export. The first magazine for VOLVO owners appeared this year. It was named "Ratten" ("Rudder"). Ralph Hensson, Export Manager, became the magazine's first editor. The cover of the first edition featured a portrait of Hjalmar Wallin, one of the VOLVO retailers in Gothenburg.

The publications were distributed to VOLVO employees and various interested partners. As a result, Ratten became a consumer magazine. Today Ratten is one of the largest publications in Sweden and the longest-running consumer magazine in the country.
After the Second World War, a special edition of the Ratten magazine was published. Apart from the only text written in Swedish, which appeared on the cover of a magazine called "Explanations and Apologies to the Readers of Sweden", the entire magazine was published in English. The reason for this, as explained by VOLVO, was that its export sales did not bring a word of information abroad about the progress and development of the company during the long years of the war that had just ended.

1930

After the successful debut of the PV651 in the taxi, VOLVO decided to take a more serious approach to the production of cars for this purpose.
In March 1930, VOLVO released two new models TR671 and TR672 with seven passenger seats. The car was intended specifically for transporting people. The chassis of this model was completely identical to the PV650 / 651.

In August 1930, the presentation of the new version PV651-PV652 took place. This car had modified seats and a torpedo. The rear fenders are longer and the windshield is more rounded. The cost of this car was 6,900 crowns.

VOLVO CLOTHING BRAKES

As part of the philosophy of safety and quality that has always been part of the VOLVO brand, in 1930, 4-wheel hydraulic brakes were introduced. The brakes were so effective that warning triangles were often attached to the rear bumpers and trunks of VOLVO cars and trucks to prevent other vehicles from braking and to maintain distance.

This year, VOLVO bought the plant that supplied Pentaverken motors. In addition, the premises of the Hisingen star previously owned by SKF have also become the property of VOLVO. ”Thus, the workforce of VOLVO began to number in the hundreds.

1931

The international economic crisis has led to a decline in car sales in Sweden. In addition, General Motors, which had its own Chevrolet plant in Stockholm, created strong competition. 90% of the VOLVO cars produced were sold in Sweden, and only relying on Swedish patriotism was it possible to survive this period. This year a new model for taxi TR673, TR674 was released. In the same year, for the first time in the history of VOLVO, dividends were paid to the co-founders.

1932

In January, the model receives a number of major design changes. The engine displacement increased to 3,366 cm3, which gave an increase in power to 65 hp. at a speed of 3200 rpm. The gearbox became four-speed instead of three, synchronizers were installed in the second and third gears. As a result of all these changes, the cruising speed has increased by 20%. Since the beginning of 1927, the number of cars sold has exceeded 10,000: 3800 cars, where 1000 with a four-cylinder engine, 2800 with a six-cylinder, and 6200 trucks.

1933

In August 1933, the presentation of the new models PV653 (standard) and PV654 (luxury) took place. The chassis of these models were similar to the PV651 / 652, but there was one difference, which was the reinforcement of the suspension with the center crossbars. The bodies were already completely metal. The wheels remained fundamentally the same, that is, spoke, but their design has become more stylish. All instruments and various control keys were collected from the entire torpedo into one dashboard, and the "glove compartment" became lockable. During these years, interior noise insulation becomes a significant characteristic. VOLVO has done a great job in this regard. The carburetor received a filter, and a muffler appeared, and the installation of both was calculated and made in such a way that the engine did not lose at all in power. The luxury model differed from the standard with taillights and two horns mounted under the headlights.k8]

In 1933, Gustaf D-M Erikssoi presented one hand-built car, which was made in a single copy and was named "Venus Bito". At that time, it was a revolutionary car in terms of »aerodynamics, but the market was not ready to appreciate its advantages, so the" Venus Bito "was not serialized. However, in the future, the principles of the aerodynamics of the body of this car, of course, received their full embodiment. For "VOLVO" it became a kind of lesson showing that being ahead of time is just as pointless as being behind.

1934

In the spring of this year, a new model of the seven-seater taxi was released. The new model was named TR675 / 679 and replaced the PV653 / 654. It had no fundamental differences.

In 1934, 2,984 cars were sold, of which 775 were exported.

1935

It was a happy year for VOLVO. The release of the new PV36 model was another continuation of the American concept in the automotive industry. The engine remains from the previous model. The windshield was split in two. The rear wheels were half covered by the rear fenders. An additional luggage compartment was installed at the rear, and the cabin accommodated six people: three in the front and three in the back.

The PV36 was announced as a luxury model and cost 8,500 CZK. Initially, 500 cars were produced. This model also received its own name "Carioca". This was the name of the American dance popular at that time. PV658 / 659 replaced PV653 / 654. The new model had a modified hood and a radiator grill, which performed a protective function.

In the same year, a new model for the TR701-704 taxi was released, which differed from its predecessor only in a more powerful engine - 80 hp.

TRADE IS AN ART

A brown leather cover adorns a special 1936 document - the sales manual.

The book was written by Assar Gabrielsson and contained a separate technical chapter by Gustav Larson.

Chapter 1 is devoted exclusively to the meaning of trading for VOLVO: “Trading is an art. People without artistic talent in a particular field can never become brilliant artists, no matter how much they train and what kind of education they receive. and one who chooses to trade cannot become a successful trader through training programs. " The guidance is always based on the following:

Russian sales of Volvo this year, like that of other auto brands, still leave much to be desired: following the collapse of the market, buyers in car dealerships have become much smaller. Sales of the new flagship model XC90, which were supposed to start back in March, were eventually postponed and only start now (exact dates are still unknown). Together with a noticeable price cut for the lineup announced at the end of April, this should improve the company's affairs in Russia. At the same time, despite local problems Volvo, having passed into Chinese hands, has been demonstrating more than decent results in recent years, having managed to retain old customers and attract new ones.

In 2010, the Chinese did not just acquire the first European brand that came to hand. They bought a company known primarily for security technology. It is with this that the Chinese auto companies from the very beginning existed (and still remain) serious problems: many cars were absolutely uncompetitive in terms of European or American standards.

Five years ago, the global economic crisis forced the American concern to get rid of surplus assets, one of which was the passenger division of Volvo.

The Swedish manufacturer was making losses, and Ford did not want to invest in the company during the crisis. As a result, the Americans sold Volvo to the Chinese auto giant Geely for $ 1.8 billion. At the same time, in 1999, Volvo cost the Americans 3.5 times more - $ 6.5 billion.

When Volvo passed into the hands of the Chinese, many auto experts and brand fans seriously expressed fears that Volvo would lose its image and that the Chinese, using Swedish technology, would not invest heavily in it.

But Volvo's new owner was quick to reassure that the brand would be given strategic independence and the ability to operate on its own business plan.

“Cooperation with a Swedish brand is, first of all, security technologies. Volvo has a very strong position in this aspect of the automotive industry, - said the head of Geely Li Shufu at the end of April. “In addition, we are now focused on research and development work to create a new modular CMA platform (for the production of C-class cars). The C-Class sedan will go into production in 2017 and will be the first vehicle on a new platform for the small-sized CMA models shared by Geely and Volvo. The same platform will be received by the successor to the Volvo V40. "

“Based on this modular architecture, Volvo develops some products and Geely develops others of its own,

- specifies Shufu. "They have different directions and completely different characteristics, corresponding to their positioning in their segments."

However, it should be admitted that Volvo did not initially count on such a format of cooperation. Soon after the deal, the then Volvo CEO made it clear that no technical collaboration with Geely was out of the question.

“We understand ourselves as a part of a financial, not an industrial holding, therefore we maintain independence, which is very important for us. Geely and I work in completely different areas of the automotive industry, which makes cooperation on a wide range of issues almost meaningless, ”he said.

Well, after a few years the situation has changed, and it is easy to guess that the Chinese still managed to impose their vision of mutual cooperation on the Swedes.

For the star-missing Geely, the purchase of Volvo opened up access to unique safety technologies and other developments. But at the same time, the deal allowed Geely to become the first Chinese car company to expand not only in the European and US markets, but also in developing countries, becoming a global brand.

At least such plans are declared by Li Shufu, who is called the "Chinese Henry Ford". Geely plans to start exporting Swedish brand cars from factories in China to other countries in the near future. Among the export destinations, besides the United States, experts also mention Russia. Shipments will be made from the Chengdu plant in southwestern China.

The Swedish company also does not hide that it is quite pleased with the cooperation. The main criterion is the growing volume of global sales.

Lars Danielson, head of Volvo China, admits that 2014 was one of the best years for Volvo Cars. “More than 466 thousand cars have been sold, of all models,” Larson said. -

Business was also successful in Western Europe, which is also an important market for us. 56 thousand cars were sold in the USA. Overall sales were good, with our bottom line up 17% to $ 2.2 million.

However, the margin remains low.

The context must be borne in mind here. We invest a lot, invest in new products. Doing the same thing that the entire industry is doing would be much easier and the profits would be different. But the plan is what it is. "

The Chinese market for Volvo is the largest today, with a share of 17% of global sales last year. Sweden is on the second place, the USA is on the third with 12%. Next come the UK (about 9%) and other European countries - 7%.

“I don’t think that the Volvo company, having become the property of Geele, could have lost anything,” says the general director of radio “Strana”, a well-known auto expert. - Quite the opposite: the brand has retained all its positions.

Yes, they had big plans for the development of the brand in the Chinese market, but so far they have not been able to achieve noticeable results.

Nevertheless, the fact that the Swedish brand is present in China, Europe and the United States is already good. Here we can cite as an example the fate of another Swedish manufacturer - Saab, which simply went bankrupt and ceased to exist. "

According to the expert, when both companies announce joint technical developments, they are very specific.

“For Geely, the purchase of Volvo was the shortest route to modern automotive technology. In fact, they did not have their own developments. Therefore, speaking about the joint development of the two brands, one must understand that the entire technical base is provided only by Europeans, and the Chinese side provides funding. Therefore, it is quite logical that the joint technical center of the two companies is located in Sweden, ”he said.

As the general director of PodborAvto Denis Eremenko notes, the perception of the brand by Russian consumers has not changed since the moment it came under the wing of the Chinese company. “If the quality of car assembly, the design and positioning of the brand as a whole does not change, then the consumer does not even think about who owns the brand,” Eremenko shared his opinion with Gazeta.Ru. “The purchase of Volvo by the Chinese is just such a case, so this circumstance did not affect the demand from Russian buyers”.

Volvo is not the only example. On the account of the Chinese - the purchase by Dongfeng Motor Group of 14% of shares of the French concern PSA, which is going through difficult times, the acquisition of BAIC from Saab technologies. One cannot but recall the failed deal to sell the Hummer brand to the Chinese. In addition, it recently became known that the Chinese state-owned chemical corporation ChemChina plans to acquire the Pirelli tire brand for 7.1 billion euros.

But it's not just the Chinese who use the same tactic. For several years now, the Indian has owned the British Jaguar Land Rover and is doing everything not to be associated with the legendary premium brand among ordinary buyers.