Whats Volvo in Chinese?

**loanrangie** · 28th December 2009, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

You are missing the point though. One of the few areas the Chinese have not been able to control is car supply to the world. Their products are rubbish, and their safety is even worse. Thus, they haven't been able to gain traction in any developed world market.

How a car drives is important to some people, but for many they don't know and if offered a chinese product at a given price, they would take it. Same for build quality - most people wouldn't now.

However safety is one thing they just can't crack. Their cars are **really** bad in this regard and they don't understand what all the fuss is about (there are heaps of people - whats the problem). However consumer crash testing shows them off publicly. People won't buy their cars because they will be mocked (Don't you love your wife, little Johnny...).

The difficult bit is that safety is real hard. It's a black art that the car manufacturers have been unwilling to share thus far with the Chinese. It's about engineering and attention to detail. By purchasing Volvo (and SAAB ) the US Government (GM) have given the safety FAQ and howto to the Chinese government. This technology will be distributed to all their car manufacturers.

I reckon within 5-10 years the Chinese will be delivering cars to the shores of developed nations that will do acceptably well in crash tests. So, while the Yanks think they have divested themselves of non-core brands - they have in fact set themselves up for an another formidable competitor in a few years time.

Clearly GM is purely in survival mode. They need every last drop of liquidity or they won't be around to see the new competitors.

I find it fascinating watching how the Chinese are winning the GFC.

The point is just because it is foreign owned doesnt mean they are going to ship the whole volvo assembly plant to China and start building volvo's, there will be hardly any change at least untill the engine/platform supply contract with ford runs out. If ever they are fully designed and built in china the brand will fail to exist- Tata havent added curry warmers to Landrovers now have they ?

**clean32** · 28th December 2009, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by vnx205

There are a couple of problems with referring someone to the story of King Knut. although I suspect that in this instance someone's first reaction was that he was being referred to as King Nut rather than to the legend of King Knut.

The first problem is that his name is more often spelled as Cnut or more often still, as Canute, so googling might not be as successful as you would hope.

The second problem is that contrary to most people's belief, Canute was not a deluded king who foolishly thought he hold back the waves. He was actually demonstrating to his fawning courtiers that their declarations of the extent of his power were ridiculous.

He knew he couldn't stop the waves. It was his courtiers who were made to look foolish.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was not referring to the poster as being a King nut as you pointed out.

To look at the story of King Knut/Cnut or Canute. I was looking at it from the view of one person with the knowledge ( limits of power) and the masses believing in perceptions ( unlimited power) and being wrong
In reference to the thread of my post is that there is a common misbelieve in china’s power a misbelieve not shared by china.
We in Australia have not yet been affected greatly or to the same existent that other countries have. Most Australians have a perception that is historical at best or just erroneous of china and Chinas ambitions.

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 28th December 2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The point is just because it is foreign owned doesnt mean they are going to ship the whole volvo assembly plant to China and start building volvo's, there will be hardly any change at least untill the engine/platform supply contract with ford runs out. If ever they are fully designed and built in china the brand will fail to exist- Tata havent added curry warmers to Landrovers now have they ?

It's not that I'm talking about. The point I was trying to make is that the US government (GM) has handed the Chinese government all of Volvos (and SAABs ) safety technology and know how which they will distribute amongst their manufacturers.

Pretty much the only thing which has been stopping the Chinese from competing against first world manufacturers is their poor safety standards. It is my belief that in 5-10 years the yanks (and everyone else) will have to compete against the Chinese in car manufacturing too who will try and compete with this new safety knowledge.

What happens to Volvo and SAAB is largely irrelevant except to the Swedes.

**LandyAndy** · 28th December 2009, 08:30 PM

I see the new Great Wall Navara and Rodeo copies have been recalled for faulty seatbelt tensioners.
Seems they didnt copy the important bits correctly!!!!
Andrew

**clean32** · 28th December 2009, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

I see the new Great Wall Navara and Rodeo copies have been recalled for faulty seatbelt tensioners.
Seems they didnt copy the important bits correctly!!!!
Andrew

the Great wall Utes are Toyota clips. you may be intrested to note that the seat belts come from Korea, i beleve from the same factory that supplyes holden and ford australia.

**LandyAndy** · 28th December 2009, 08:54 PM

Rodeo and Navara
Andrew

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 28th December 2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

I see the new Great Wall Navara and Rodeo copies have been recalled for faulty seatbelt tensioners.
Seems they didnt copy the important bits correctly!!!!
Andrew

Well... the sale of Volvo and SAAB have just been announced so it will take time. You might start seeing bits put onto existing models, but it will be 5+ years before you see big steps forward which is about a model cycle.

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