“I am very pleased with the opportunity to work at Volvo Car Corporation,” said Fägerhag.  The Alliance Office was only recently created after the manufacture split away from its former, Ford parents.   Its main responsibilities are the technical, legal and commercial dealings with other, joint companies such as current owner, Chinese Geely.  A Lund University educated mechanical engineer, Fägerhag spent a large sump of his career working with Saab and General Motors.  His portfolio includes two global model platforms that were created while he served as GM Europe’s lead vehicle systems engineer.  “It’s exciting to be part of the intensive expansion the company is going through, not least in the Chinese market.”

Source: Volvo

“I am very happy to announce the partnership with China Development Bank Corporation, as it will assist us in realizing our ambitious growth plans for the Chinese market and enhance our ability to develop clean, efficient driveline technologies,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO for Volvo.  In order to hit their goal of 200,000 vehicles sold in the country annually, Volvo must make sure its vehicles are cutting edge and innovative.  They also need to make sure that each and everyone comes out of the factory right and China Development Bank will supply the financing to do so.  Once the partnership is in full swing, Volvo can continue to push forward and safeguard its hold of the Chinese and global market.

Source: Volvo

At this year’s Beijing Auto Show, both the new V60 and V40 models were showcased.  These two cars might just have what it takes to make it in the Chinese market and that special something is, according to Volvo, “rationality.”  “In addition to a great driving experience the Volvo V60 offers the owner rational functionality, the opportunity to enjoy life together with friends and family. It is a perfect choice for true car enthusiasts,” said Freeman Shen, Senior Vice President Volvo Car China Operations.  In addition to the V60′s sensible size and shape, the V40 takes the larger sedan’s characteristics and wraps them around a sensational, compact hatchback body.  “ It has an outstanding, beautiful design and it is charged with sophisticated features you normally have to buy a large car to get.” 

Volvo knows it can’t reach its goal with new models alone.  In order to help out production, an all-new assembly plant located in Chengdu is in the works.  Scheduled to open up shop by the second half of 2013, the plant will have the ability to pump out 100,000 units annually: half of Volvo’s goal.

Source: Volvo

“This is a prestigious title that I am very proud to receive,” said Jacoby.  “It is naturally even more gratifying that my own peers in the engineering industry have voted for me amid this truly formidable competition.”  The pick was made by Sweden’s StrategiTorget Verkstadsindustrin; a grouping of decision makers inside the country’s engineering field.  The submissions began in the fall of 2011 and by the end, it was clear that Mr. Jacoby had the right amount of votes.  Only given to people who are true visionaries and pioneers, the “Influencer of The Year” award is a fantastic mark of both skill and imagination. 

Source: Volvo

“The conventional diesel and petrol power trains continue to play a major role on the environmental agenda. We continuously improve their efficiency. In the last two years Volvo has brought CO2 emissions from our diesel and petrol model ranges down by 13 percent and in model year 2013 we introduce several new improvements,” said Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Research and Development for Volvo Car Corporation.  Debuting as the starter diesel engine on the S60, V60, XC60, V70 and S80 Volvos is an all-new inline five cylinder.  Displacing 2.o liters and breathing through a single turbocharger, the “D” series of engines most recently added the 136 horsepower, D3 variant which pumps out a stout 258 lb-ft of torque.  Available in either manual or automatic trim, the latest diesel block manages to be efficient, powerful and air-friendly with just 114 g/km of CO2 emissions.  Even in 215 horsepower, D5 variation, the latest Volvo mill can distort faces all while producing no more than 120 g/km.

Source: Volvo

One of the most important of the booth is the new Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid. The model here at the show is a white model on a rotating display.

In addition Volvo also arrived with a pair of s60s, a C70, a C30 (which we will have a review for next week), an XC90, another XC60 and to wrap up the booth an XC70.

Here is our high-resolution gallery, and dont forget to keep your eyes on AutoTalk for more NYIAS coverage through the rest of the week.

Photos Copyright Christian Moe © 2012

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), potentially 2,742 vehicles are at risk.  Volvo will be investigating 2012 model year S60s and XC60s, but how many of each has yet to be revealed.  In order to remedy the problem, certified dealers will inspect the undercarriage for excess coating.  If it exists, it will be removed and all damaged or in-danger fuel lines will be replaced.  The recall is expected to start on or before April 13 of this year and all repairs will take place at no extra cost to owners.

Source: NHTSA

“It is the intention of Geely to fully utilize available technologies to develop products that will enrich our product portfolio and create competitive advantages,” said An Conghui, President and CEO of Geely Holding Group.  The main goal of the Memorandum of Understanding is to transfer existing vehicles and their technologies to a new brand within the Geely group.  In order to strengthen the co-operations between the Swedish and Chinese companies, Volvo will offer cars and innovative features to the rapidly growing car market inside China.  Anything from engines, electrified powertrains and full small cars could find their way out of Europe to Geely.  Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation said, “This is an initiative which is set to create additional value for both companies. It will support us in realizing the aspirations to make China our second home market.”

Source: Volvo

Let us start with a statistic, 13-percent. This is the amount that Volvo has reduced fuel consumption in the last two years, and 2012 looks to continue that trend. Volvo is bringing the all-new V40, the C30 and the V60 Plug-in Hybrid to show that a Green Swede doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The cool and funky C30 and the slick V40 both manage a C02 emissions levels below 100 grams. For the battery inclined, the V60 can be a fuel efficiency dream with its ability to travel 30 miles on battery power alone, while the combined power output of its diesel engine and electric motor – 285 horsepower – make sure there is speed when you want it.

As a final note, Volvo wants to emphasize its pledge to move to solely four-cylinder engines. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation states, “It is time for the industry to stop counting cylinders. We will develop four-cylinder engines with higher performance than today’s six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation.”

“This smart technology for charging in any outlet, and paying automatically via your own electricity bill, is an excellent example of how we do everything to make the daily use easier for the customer,” said Lennart Stegland, Vice President of Electric Propulsion Systems at Volvo.  “Our basic view is that the owner of an electric vehicle shouldn’t have to sacrifice any of the properties he or she expects from a luxury car.”  When equipped with ELVIIS, that sacrifice shouldn’t happen.  When an EV’s battery pack needs to be recharged, the integrated display shows various outlets via GPS.  A driver than has the ability to pre-set the timing and charging amount remotely or by smartphone pairing.  ELVIIS will be connected to a large area grid and thus will have the power to “call ahead” the charging scheme to optimize the process in both time and cost.  Direct charging to a driver’s desired billing method is also an option.

Source: Volvo