Volvo at Formula one

[tomislavp4]

It was a while since my last pos here, I had some interner isues.

I think both SAAB and Volvo would do better if they were not in some major gruopations like gm and ford that don´t let them to make decisions.

For example SAAB wanted to lounch new car this year but gm sad NO
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/images/A ... adster.jpg

Even if Volvo was free I don´t think that they want that kind of image for the brand, just like Tom said.
SAAB on the other hand maybe would try in other major series but not f1, It´s just too much money.

[sebbe]

I don't agree with you, tomislavp4.
The only alternative for SAAB's survival was being acquired by some major group. GM's problems are very complex and their management doesn't help SAAB at all. In the beginning of GM's acquisition, SAAB was quite independent, but they keep loosing gigantic amounts of money, until GM said enough was enough and they decided to take over the company's management.
They even thought about selling it, but then reconsidered it and decided to keep it.

Volvo, on the other hand, could survive on its own, but it has somehow lost its vision.

[millerjam]

There's a very strong argument as to why any manufacturers at all should be in F1, apart from the obvious marketing beneifts. I cite the work Audi have done at Le Mans in the last few years, with their FSI technology with the R8 and the work involved with the diesel V12 engine. Both of which have obvious links with the technogies introduced in the VAG groups cars in the last few years. It's really refreshing to see a manufacturer use motorsport as a breeding ground for road car technology, as opposed to being in it because everyone else is. And now Pegeot is in the mix too. It must be really interesting being an engineer designing cars for Le Mans!
I don't think you're ever going to see mass production car manufacturers outside of the current group (Toyota, Honda and Renault) in F1, it's too hypocritical, with Ford losing money and VW with labour disputes.
I think you'll find that Ford and Volvo have very different philosphies concerning their cars, they even raced them against each other in the good old days of the BTCC, check out the new C30, (and no I don't work for Volvo!), they seem to have rediscovered some of their vision!