Decision 1 for Volvo last week was to end the company’s factory-backed participation in motorsport. Decision 2 is a substantial shift in Volvo’s marketing mix that’s going to be very interesting to watch. Volvo is implementing a new plan called the “Volvo Way To Market” and it means big changes in the way they’ll do things. The Volvo Way To […]
Volvo made some ripples last week with a couple of announcements likely to have various parties feeling just a little bit nervous. Decision 1 will effect anyone involved with a factory-backed Volvo racing team – unless they’re in a boat. Volvo’s global Marketing Manager, Alain Nisser, was quoted in the press last week saying that the company will cease direct
I was born in Melbourne, so I’m genetically programmed to hate everything about Sydney*. I live in Hobart, so I think Launceston’s a hole**. Geographic rivalry is about as old as mankind itself. It started when the first cavemen argued over who had the best hunting ground and it hasn’t stopped since. As a Saab guy, I have a natural
Volvo, whatever real-world model it is that you create from this Estate Concept, it had better be good. Really good. Because this concept car, to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the next few weeks, is absolutely fantastic. OK, it’s only got three doors (including the rear hatch) so it won’t be as practical as Volvos past. And
[hr] I recently featured 7 classic car investments for rich people here on site with the promise that Gavin and I could come up with lists of our own. The terms and conditions: The budget is for a maximum of A$30,000 You must be able to show an example of the car for sale somewhere in the world under that
Swade’s 7 ‘Investment’ Cars For Less Than $30,000 Read Post »
[hr] Here’s the very best of automotive reading from around the web over the weekend. Well, what I think was the best reading. Let’s see what you think. — Congratulations to Volvo on increasing its sales in 2013. Volvo sold 427,840 vehicles in 2013, a small increase over 2012. The boost came thanks to large rise in Chinese sales and
Monday Reading – Classic Mercs, Fiat, Goodwood, Saab + Volvo Sales and Maserati Read Post »
The Frankfurt Motor Show is on again. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because the Frankfurt Motor Show is like a small city unto itself. I’m quite sure it’s bigger than the central business district here in Hobart. When I visited Frankfurt, in 2009, there were nine display halls. Each hall was massive. Some contain multiple brands but some were
Here are some of my best reads from the last few days of online automotive reading (and something from the fringe). — Jalopnik good I don’t know if you’d call this list definitive, but it’s entertaining. Jalopnik compiled a list of the Ten Best Automotive Ads and there are a couple of Swedes amongst them – one each from Volvo
Midweek Snippets – Jalopnik FM, Tesla Safety, Petroliciously Pebble and Politics Read Post »
The latest in my series of “Alt-Saab” entries belongs to the new Volvo V40. The car is launching in Australia right now and pricing starts from a pretty competitive (and sub-Saab 9-3) price of ,990 plus ORC. For that, you get a reasonably breathless 84kW (113hp) four-cylinder turbo BUT…. it’s a diesel, so it’s got great mileage and importantly, 270Nm
Whilst we’re waiting….. I don’t know how much noise it’s made overseas, but here in Australia, the motoring wires have been buzzing this week due to the arrival of a limited edition Volvo S60 tuned by Volvo’s racing partners, Polestar. This package has been put together specifically for the Australian market and Volvo Cars Australia will only sell 50 of
Volvo throw down a performance gauntlet – in Australia Read Post »
