Volvo S80 For Chinese Market To Be Produced in Chongqing Next Year

SHANGHAI - November 5, 2007:

Volvo S80, the second Volvo model to be locally produced in China, will be produced at the Changan Ford plant in Chongqing by the end of next year, local newspaper Beijing News reported today.

Prior to the local production of S80, Volvo S40 started to be produced at Changan Ford in Chonqing last year. In the first nine month of this year, S40 sold 4,730 vehicles in the Chinese market, up 165.7 percent from one year earlier.

Volvo S80 will compete with such premium models as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz that have already started local production in China.

Currently in the Chinese market, imported Volvo S80s are based on four different versions of engines and priced in a range between 498,000 yuan ($66,797) and 895,000 yuan ($120,000).

Of all Volovo sedan series, the V series is the only model that has not entered Chinese market, the report said.

The Chongqing plant of Changan Ford produces Ford brand sedans, including Fiesta, Mondeo and Focus, but later the plant will focus on the production of middel and upper segment of sedans, like a new version of Mondeo and Volvo sedans.

For more information about the burgeoning auto industry in China please visit http://www.gasgoo.com/Autobiz/list/7/China-News.html