Comments on: Debriefing from Volvo (Part 2) http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/ Freya Svensson's bumpy ride with the Rusnak Auto Group & Volvo North America Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:11:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Joel http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-448 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:34:49 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-448 @ Frank Geffes

the transmission which is an assortment of GM and Volvo transmissions

the transmission is made by Aisin in Japan, and is used in many vehicles all over the world, including many Volvos and some GM vehicles. Volvo doesn’t really make their own transmissions and I don’t think they have for years (decades?).
I talked about this on rusmacked in two places at least. Look in the comments of these two posts:

http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/11/23/is-there-a-pattern-%E2%80%94%C2%A0i-need-volvo-facts/#comments

http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/11/24/breaking-news-update-from-volvo/#comments

The problem is not the transmission, but rather Volvo’s claim of ‘lifetime’ fluid.

]]> By: Joel http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-447 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:26:34 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-447 @Frank Geffes

“Look there is no fuel efficient Volvo model yet … in 2010!”

what about the drive program (admittedly not available in NA):
http://www.volvocars.com/intl/explore/pages/drive.aspx

or the fully electric announcement from the Detroit Auto Show:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/volvo/6832945/Volvo-C30-goes-electric.html

or the hybrid plans (very smart outisde-the-box plans I might add):
http://www.ridelust.com/volvo-announces-micro-hybrid-coming-in-2011-full-hybrid-2012/

or all the diesel options in Europe (again not available in NA) or all the electric/CNG/hybrid research they have done for the last 15 years….

just because you can’t buy one in the USA doesn’t mean it’s not being done.

I do agree with you that Volvo has not had a fair shake with all the ownership upheaval – though I must also add that Ford has done a relatively good job taking care of them and allowing the research to happen and the business to progress.

” as a result no real R&D …”

Again, what about DSTC (one of the first real dynamic ESC programs in the mainstream) or all the airbag tech, BLIS, City Safety or the new pedestrian counterpart, diesel engine research, dynamic chassis stuff, lane departure warning, etc etc etc etc… jeez they have been Ford’s R&D arm for 10 years!

]]> By: Frank Geffes http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-445 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:50:35 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-445 Vartkes is a good guy … I do feel for him though because Volvo quality has not been good. Volvo has suffered from being tossed around like a poker chip between the various corporate owners … as a result no real R&D …

Look there is no fuel efficient Volvo model yet … in 2010!

If I get another one it will be a 240 …

x

]]> By: Frank Geffes http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-444 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:47:15 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-444 I think she would be much better off fixing the car and trading it in …

She should get a Toyota or a Ford.

@

]]> By: Frank Geffes http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-443 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:45:32 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-443 Vartkes and company have been rolling their eyes at what has been happening to Volvo – the quality is really poor. The local area Volvo mechanics dread the transmission which is an assortment of GM and Volvo transmissions (I am told) slapped on to the S80 … i.e. you can either have a GM transmission or a Volvo transmission … this part is almost than 1/2 the value of some of the older 10 year cars.

@

]]> By: Frank Geffes http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-442 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:41:01 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-442 I have a Volvo. I live in Pasadena … I drive an S80 … it will be gone hopefully in 4 week. Goodbye Volvo. The problems:

1. Bad transmission
2. Bad springs
3. Bad ignition coil
4. Broken drivers seatbelt
5. Electrical faults
6. Blown power steering hose (multiple times)
7. Blown coolant hose
8. Broken catalytic converter

Did I mention that fuel efficiency is pure crap.

This is madness! I am trading it in for a Ford Escape Hybrid …

The European cars are behind the curve in this era … Hybrid is the *only* way to go. If you must buy a luxury car then get a Lexus … they have hybrids in those.

@

]]> By: ih8rusnak2 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-338 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:14:45 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-338 can we get a holiday jingle before you shut down? ;)

]]> By: Sam http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-337 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:17:24 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-337 I hope everything else goes well, although it looks like the worst part of your fight is past you! I think a lot of consumers can learn from your experience and what you did to make your voice heard.

If you do shut your website down, it would be great if you included your suggestions on how to get other Volvo owners to get their issues addressed as well.

]]> By: Brian http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-333 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:23:18 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-333 Freya, you made your voice heard by many, and there are many opinions on how (or if) to procede further. Let your “Viking” conscience be your guide. :-) It’s been an exciting ride so far!

]]> By: John http://rusmackedvolvo.com/2009/12/15/debriefing-from-volvo-part-2/#comment-332 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:51:05 +0000 http://rusmackedvolvo.com/?p=287#comment-332 Good points Joel…will we ever really know what ahppened though? I’m sure there are more sides to this story

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