WNCN-TV (NBC) Ch./Freq. 17 Raleigh/Durham 07/30/2010 11:00 PM - 11:35 PM “Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com survey shows more car shoppers looking to buy used than new”

mms://streaming.vmsnews.com/media/INSIGHT/20100730-882408-2DD9F193-FA0C-446E-98EB-7436C588DCCC.wsx

How Ford and GM turned a corner

http://seekingalpha.com/article/217692-how-ford-and-gm-turned-a-corner\

GM says Chevy Equinox and Traverse rolling in conquest buyers

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/gm-says-chevy-equinox-and-traverse-rolling-in-conquest-buyers/

GM: Chevy Equinox, Traverse draw buyers from other brands

http://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/news/story.html?id=12005

Ford’s better ideas

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052970204391004575385011554292570.html?mod=BOL_twm_fs

Five cool cars for under $15,000

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/5-cool-cars-for-under-15-000-5.aspx

Five best bargain cars in a down economy

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/5-best-bargain-cars-in-a-down-economy-6.aspx

GM unveils sticker price for Volt

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/topdown/detail?entry_id=69162

New cars for less money than used

http://wake.mync.com/site/wake/news/story/53962/new-cars-for-less-money-than-used

Which websites do new-vehicle shoppers use most?

http://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/news/story.html?id=12006

Car shoppers use third-party websites more than manufacturer sites for new car research

http://www.autoloandaily.com/loan-news/auto-loan-daily/new-car-research/2297-car-shoppers-third-party-websites-manufacturer-sites-new-car-research

**Top News**

Geely seals takeover of Volvo from Ford; Jacoby named CEO

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-02/geely-said-to-announce-completion-of-volvo-cars-purchase-from-ford-today.html

Ford completes sale of Volvo to China’s Geely

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100802/COPY01/308029898/1131

Ford’s sale of Volvo to Geely a done deal

http://www.freep.com/article/20100802/BUSINESS01/100802005/1210/Sale-of-Volvo-to-Geely-a-done-deal

China’s Geely now owns Swedish carmaker Volvo

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-08-02-geely-volvo_N.htm

Volvo perfect test case for Chinese automakers

http://www.cnbc.com/id/38521344

Li Shufu rises from humble beginnings to become the ‘Chinese Henry Ford’

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100802/GLOBAL03/100809991/1131

A deal in China isn’t done until the government says so

http://www.autonews.com/article/20100729/BLOG06/100729844/-1

Ford Motor Company Completes Sale of Volvo to Geely

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-motor-company-completes-sale-of-volvo-to-geely-99744724.html

Geely Holding Group Completes Acquisition of Volvo Car Corporation

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geely-holding-group-completes-acquisition-of-volvo-car-corporation-99745519.html

**KBB Commentary on Top News**

A Marriage Made In…?

With today's announcement that the sale of Volvo to Geely has been completed, the automotive industry can sit back and prepare for what surely should be interesting "theater." While the Swedish company has had success in the Chinese market, showing strong growth since introducing the long-wheelbase version of the large S80 sedan there, and expected costs for producing such vehicles for the global market will drop as Chinese production takes on a larger role, the issue of integration of the two companies and their respective cultures will be very interesting to observe.

On a personal note, I worked for a vendor of Ford in Europe a year or so after they had taken the keys to Volvo in 2001, and can assure you that the road to integration looked very uncertain at that critical juncture. I vividly recall when a meeting we had scheduled in Gothenburg was cancelled just hours before heading to the airport. Over the next few days, I learned a very important maxim when it came to working with Ford and Volvo on joint projects, when I was told by several involved that "Ford may have bought Volvo in 1999, but there are many within Volvo who see this the other way around."

The Chinese automotive market has been on a rocket-like trajectory over the last decade, and recently passed the United States as the largest in the world. And, it continues to grow. The Chinese executives we meet at global auto shows carry an air of confidence both earned and stumbled upon...and engineered by the Chinese government. Volvo undoubtedly will profit from its new ability to build in China with Chinese labor and component costs, but based on previous experience, the pace and depth of integration and partnership could be painful.

What does this mean for current and future owners of Volvo vehicles? It probably means very little in the short term. The agreements with Ford stipulate continued access for a time to engineering, technology and production techniques that have set Volvo on a recent pace back to profitability. And, the new Chinese ownership will bring a degree of aggression in design and marketing not normally seen in a more conservative brand like Volvo. This agreement could signify the rise of a new luxury car powerhouse...or the rise of a curtain on a stage sure to entertain with corporate drama.

- James Bell, executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com

**OEM/Vehicle News**

Life at 11 million U.S. sales

http://www.autonews.com/article/20100802/OEM01/308029970/1128

GM to boost Chevy Volt production

http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/30/autos/gm_volt_production/index.htm

Chevrolet to Increase Volt Production Capacity by 50 Percent

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chevrolet-to-increase-volt-production-capacity-by-50-percent-99635669.html

The new Ford has learned to think small

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100802/OEM04/308029997/1216

Lincoln lineup to expand, create identity apart from Ford brand

http://www.autonews.com/article/20100802/OEM04/308029996/1128