Seems like that Volvo won’t be expanding their production in the United States. Read this article from autoblog.

There have been periodic rumors of a United States assembly plant for Volvo cars since at least the early 1980s. There was a North American construction arm of the Swedish car maker, situated in Nova Scotia, but that plant has been shuttered for several years now.

Volvo CEO Fredrik Arp has told Automotive News that an American plant would take an unacceptably long time to pay for itself, according to the automaker’s studies. A weak dollar doesn’t help the economic argument for a plant in the States, either. Volvo can currently handle its goal of 600,000 units worldwide, which they have yet to meet.

Current plant capacity is good for 590,000 vehicles, so it goes building any new plants, Volvo would be wise to fully utilize its current capacity. The automaker is looking to markets other than North America to drive growth in the coming years — China, India and Russia all look to be emerging soon as major Volvo buyers.

Arp would not be pressed regarding rumors of Volvo being put up for sale by parent Ford, but he did comment that the historically green-minded automaker has its finger on the pulse of viable alternative powertrains for the US market. Diesels and alternative fuels are big in Europe, but Volvo’s not going to just forge ahead in the US with those technologies. Rather, what they intend to do is watch and see what green platform takes off here, and follow on quickly with their own version of whatever that turns out to be.

Volvo is too much of a niche player in the US market to risk developing something that may be met with a yawn by the US consumer. Up for sale or not, it looks like Gothenburg’s Rollers have their eyes on the brass ring.

Well there you go, Europeans are wise investors indeed.

Volvo’s all new V70 is priced at around €52,500 to €69,950 depending on its range. It will be released in October in many dealer showrooms and is expected to be swarmed by consumers.

Standard features include a unique 40/20/40 split folding rear seat configuration, load adaptive rear lights, folding steel load protection grille, 3D cargo load system, lockable load floor, grocery bag holder, 12V power outlet in the cargo area and roof rails.

There are three specifications available, namely the S, SE and the SE Lux.

Entry level S trim includes a highly specified 16″ Creon alloy wheels, Textile/Triotech upholstery, Manganite trim, Cruise Control, Front fog lights and a 6 speaker performance sound system with AUX input. On the SE, styling enhancements such as 17″ Spartes alloys, full body coloured lower door and bumper mouldings and leather upholstery. This trim Level also includes rain sensor, Power Folding Door Mirrors and Power Tailgate with trap sensors. On the other hand, the SE Lux boasts of the ultimate luxury package. It has a 17” inch Spartes alloy, a Bright Work Décor on windows, standard Volvo safety features such as the power driver seat, heated front seats, modern wood inlay and Bi-Xenon headlamps with headlamp washers.

The all new V70 is offered in 14 exterior colours and a choice of four interior colour palettes including a new Scandinavian-inspired Cranberry Red and Off Black leather-faced upholstery. To complement the interior themes a range of four inlays are available including a new Modern Wood trim with a natural finish.

Initially offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine, the Volvo V70 exceeds conventional performance and technical specifications. Manual transmission is standard except on the T6 AWD petrol models which are offered in the geartronic guise only. Capable of a top speed of 245 km/h, the all-new 285PS T6 AWD model also offers a brisk 0 to 100 performance of 7.2 seconds while the frugal 185PS D5 model delivers 6.5 L/100km on a combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 172g/km.

With competitive pricing, comprehensive specification levels and class-leading standard features, Volvo expects to continue to lead the mid-sized estate car segment in Ireland.

Soon to be released, Volvo keeps the market waiting for the launch of the Volvo XC70. The Volvo XC70 will be available in Irish dealerships from late January 2008. Priced from €58,500 for the 185PS Diesel D5 engine, it benefits from all the same standard features as the Volvo V70 and is then equipped with a number of unique XC features. This includes HDC (Hill Descent Control), AWD with Instant Traction, XC crossed aluminim trim and unique XC upholstery and colour choices. The exterior is differentiated by extended XC roof rails, tough XC body moldings, skidplates and front lower cross-member.

V70 Engine Price (OTR)
S
2.5T (200 PS)€52,500
D5 (185 PS) €53,700
D5 AWD (185PS) €55,200

SE
2.5T (200 PS) €56,900
D5 (185 PS) €58,100
D5 AWD (185PS)€59,600

SE Lux
2.5T (200 PS) €59,400
T6 AWD €69,950
Geartronic (285 PS)€60,600
D5 (185 PS) €62,100

XC70 Engine Price (OTR)

S D5 SE (185 PS) €58,500
SE D5 SE (185 PS) €61,750
SE Lux D5 SE (185 PS) €65,500

Volvo’s XC90 was showcased at the Volvo Pride Event at the Bahrain International Airport. The Swedish giant showed its dealers what the whole XC90 range was capable of, by remaining the safest car despite all barriers.

Dealers enjoyed an ‘adrenaline booster’ drive with the XC90 different engines on the off-road track. Drivers witnessed for themselves the exceptional ‘incline and decline’ features of the XC90 while experiencing it in a most comfortable environment. The XC90 ascended and descended 70 degrees on the camel humps, climbed 75 degrees the Hummer Hill, descended 85% on the Three Step Hill and ascended 85% a stone pitched stepped angle on the Up & Over Hill. XC90 test drives were also organized on the track.

The Volvo Pride Event also conducted test drives of the latest newborn in the Volvo family on the GP Track. Dealers were also offered workshop on the unique C30 and had a taste of the perfect blend of luxury, sport and city attitude and freshness from this upcoming sensation in the Middle East.

‘The Volvo Pride event was a perfect occasion for us to say thank you to our dealers and introduce our new born to them,’ said Roula Beiruty, Regional Marketing Manager Volvo Cars Middle East. ‘Test driving our models on the BIC was probably the best way for them to discover the many features our range offers, so we are confident the information will roll out naturally to our customers,’ added Roula.