Volvo to base on Ford Platform

[Turbobrick]

FOCUS on p1

The Volvo p1 platform (the code name for Volvo's small-car platform) will form the basis for several compact cars. The most important are the next S40, to be released in late 2002 or early 2003, and the V50, due in summer 2003. The S40 will be slightly smaller in length than the current car, while the V50 will be slightly longer than the current V40.

 

Also, Volvo will release a V30 and a small SUV to elevate the company to product leadership in the compact car field.

 

FOCUS on Transplants

As you may already know, and as the picture above suggests, the Volvo cars that will be based on the p1 platform will also be based on the Ford Focus. But not the platform of the current Focus, which has been widely acclaimed as the best car in its class in both the United States and Europe. Instead, the p1 platform will be a version of the Focus' replacement's platform, which, as some sources suggest, will be based on the next Mazda Protege's platform. Quite complicated, I must agree.

 

FOCUS on Production

The vehicles based on the p1 will have to be produced in a new or refurbished plant that will be able to build several different cars based on the same platform. Currently, the S40 and V40 are built in Europe and in South Africa. The Ford Focus is built in the United States and Europe. Although it is likely that the p1 variants will be built in the plants where the 40s are built today, it is possible that they will also be built in the Focus plants or even a Mazda plant.

 

There are rumors that the p1 variants will be built in the United States in a new Volvo factory (more, here), but that plan is still not finalized. The most important question when considering whether or not to build a new factory, and where to place it, will be cost.

 

FOCUS on Competition

S40 - The S40 sedan will be trapped in a slightly odd position. While the S60 is bigger than the BMW 3 Series yet competes against it in price, the future S40 will be slightly smaller than the Three Series in size and much cheaper. Its biggest competitors in price range will be the Volkswagen Passat in Europe and the Toyota Camry in the United States.

V50 - Now that the V70 has moved up in size, so will the V40 when it becomes the V50 wagon. The exact same size as the BMW 3 Series wagon, the car will compete against it, the Audi A4 Avant, and the Mercedes C-Class Estate.

V30 - The V30 hatchback will compete against a growing field of competitors that will shatter (sadly) its hope of being the segment leader. It will compete against the BMW compact, the Audi A3, and the Mercedes Sport Coupe.

Others - In this field, Volvo will enter new segments of the marketplace, with vehicles like a small SUV to compete with the Land Rover Freelander, and a small MPV to compete with such vehicles as the Renault Megane Scenic. Also, Volvo may create some sport variants of the cars on the p1 platform to compete against BMW Ms, Audi Rs, and Mercedes AMGs.

 

FOCUS on Target Group

Who does Volvo want to buy the vehicles that will be based on the p1 platform? Well, the answer should be relatively obvious. In the US, the S40, V50, and V30 will be aimed at young men and women with children who care about safety and luxury. Since the cars will be cheaper and smaller than those currently marketed by Volvo, these people will be young professionals just out of college. The V50XC (Cross Country) will be aimed at those who love the outdoors but cannot afford the V70XC or the (future) large SUV.

 

In Europe, the vehicles based on the p1 platform will also be targeted to families, but instead of young families, they will be middle aged. This is because spending money and space are limited, so a smaller, cheaper car is more useful than something like a big S80.

[Guyver]

Wah!! This are some of the very technical things u posted in the past ah??

[Turbobrick]

I have many tech articles to post but will do it slowly, else members cannot absorb so much info at one time and may just ignore it for good

[Guyver]

Try to make it into point form..... that'll be easier for pple to get info from there....