Made in China?

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 12 Nov 2018, 10:44

I have been wanting to ask this question for awhile now, especially every time I see a TV commercial for a new Volvo.
I am sure someone can enlighten me on whether or not Volvo's of any model ares till Made in Sweden?
I seem to remember that Ford bought out Volvo a few years back and then perhaps they had them being made in China.
That hurts me to even write the words "MADE IN CHINA" next to Volvo. Let me know.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:10

China has gotten good at manufacturing but unlike Japan, China still struggles with the English language.

Volvo is now owned by Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd) one of the largest Chinese automotive manufacturers. Geely bought Volvo from Ford in 2010.

The current cars for the US market are assembled in Torslanda Sweden, Ghent Belgium and Berkeley County SC United States List of Volvo Car production plants.

Post by **June** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:12

2018 S90, 2019 XC60 both are made in China. The 2017, 18 S60 Long also made in China The Vin begins with LV it is made in China. It makes me sick as well. I want to see that Gothenburg tag under the hood. I have gotten flack for saying the 2018 S90 Inscription T6 I had as a loaner had warped breaks. Also no laminated side glass as high end Volvos of the past had. Have you heard the pinging tinny exhaust system? No question shortcuts are being made.

Now interiors are superbly made compared to the past and Geely seems to be bringing Volvo out of a declining position with great looking cars that are Swedish safe and comfortable. I will only buy a model from Sweden though... June

Post by **Rattnalle** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:15

Ford tried their best to gut the company but production stayed in Sweden and Belgium.

Then Geely bought them. Now they're made in Sweden, Belgium, the US and China. Models made in China are rumoured to be the highest quality of the lot since they've got more staff checking for and adjusting the minor details.

Us Europeans are a bit worried about the US factory though. US cars have a terrible reputation for quality, or rather lack thereof, here. Though that might not apply to foreign cars made there I guess..

Post by **Rattnalle** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:18

June. Laminated windows are still there as an option. They've always been an option and nothing that was included by default even in the highest trim levels afaik.

The tiny exhausts are a match to the new tiny engines. What really bothers me though are the tiny fuel tanks. The V90 and S90 only has a 55 l tank and in reality use about as much fuel as my old car with a 70 l tank. Which after the S80 felt a bit small already..

Post by **June** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:27

Rattnalle wrote: 12 Nov 2018, 11:18 June. Laminated windows are still there as an option. They've always been an option and nothing that was included by default even in the highest trim levels afaik.

The tiny exhausts are a match to the new tiny engines. What really bothers me though are the tiny fuel tanks. The V90 and S90 only has a 55 l tank and in reality use about as much fuel as my old car with a 70 l tank. Which after the S80 felt a bit small already..

For the USA, laminated glass is nowhere as a option on the ordering form. It's safer and quieter and saved my dog in the rollover accident in the 2002 S80. Also safer for a lady in the city where carjacking and smash and grabs happen. So I want the laminated glass.

Yes the small gasoline tanks are annoying. I like the range the big tank in my S80 gives. If I had my way I would prefer a car had a 50 US gallon tank even if it was a option. I would spend less time filling the car. June

Post by **June** » 12 Nov 2018, 11:48

June wrote: 12 Nov 2018, 11:12 2018 S90, 2019 XC60 both are made in China. The 2017, 18 S60 Long also made in China The Vin begins with LV it is made in China. It makes me sick as well. I want to see that Gothenburg tag under the hood. I have gotten flack for saying the 2018 S90 Inscription T6 I had as a loaner had warped breaks. Also no laminated side glass as high end Volvos of the past had. Have you heard the pinging tinny exhaust system? No question shortcuts are being made.

Now interiors are superbly made compared to the past and Geely seems to be bringing Volvo out of a declining position with great looking cars that are Swedish safe and comfortable. I will only buy a model from Sweden though... June

When referring to the exhaust I had a typo I meant tinny sounding as it pings and pops while the car runs not tiny as in size. Not the note sound of the exhaust. As far as my S80 the exhaust is silent and makes no sound even cooling after a hard drive. Obviously the thickness or grade of steel has changed in the manufacturing if the current exhaust systems. I prefer the exhaust system to be unseen (not visible) and unheard (no sound) like the S80.

My V70 had a single tip sticking out of the bumper for a 5 cylinder and these new Volvos have two tips sticking out for a 4 cylinder? Twin exhaust system was needed for huge American V8 engines 45 years ago, but a 4 cylinder? June

Post by **oragex** » 12 Nov 2018, 13:11

No doubt Volvo will never again build a car like they build the P2. Basically that model had too much quality for the market. Saab also were putting too much money into their cars. Not to forget it's still Volvo from Sweden who is designing these cars so not all hope is lost. Geely also owns Lotus which is a quality car.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 12 Nov 2018, 13:31

I'm not sure I'd accuse the brits of building quality cars.. Fun cars though

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 12 Nov 2018, 15:32

oragex wrote: 12 Nov 2018, 13:11 No doubt Volvo will never again build a car like they build the P2. Basically that model had too much quality for the market. Saab also were putting too much money into their cars. Not to forget it's still Volvo from Sweden who is designing these cars so not all hope is lost. Geely also owns Lotus which is a quality car.

Contrary to what YouTube mechanics like Scotty Kilmer, who know nothing about Saabs or Volvos, think Saab went down because with GM's financial problems, they were spending way too much on developing a high quality car. It had nothing to do with them being "complicated to work on" or parts being hard to find (which they aren't).
I've owned two Saabs, and my 9-5 Aero was fantastic. Great build quality, comfortable, safe, and FAST! It's just funny to me that people are scared of well-made cars. The masses don't want to buy Volvos or Saabs because they aren't familiar. They'd rather play it safe and stick with a bland Camry or Accord. On top of that, they have these lunatics like Scotty Kilmer saying to avoid them like the plague because they're complicated and unreliable. He also mentioned in one video how P80s have bad transmissions because they were Volvo's first FWD car in the US and they are prone to head gasket failure. I call BS...

Fortunately it seems Volvo is on the comeback with sales, and that's great to see. It's unfortunate that some are being made in China now, and that they just want to focus on hybrid and electric powertrains, but they are certainly nice looking cars.