"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
03/03/2014 at 10:32 • Filed to: Paranoia, Volvo, China, articles
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"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
03/03/2014 at 10:32 • Filed to: Paranoia, Volvo, China, articles | 3
| 16 |
Recently I published a post called, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I wasn't totally serious that Sweden makes the "coolest" cars but I did find it interesting that the two vehicles currently obsessed by Jalopnik staff and readers both happen to be Swedish. Could this obsession be a clue to a larger conspiracy? What if Jalops were unwilling agents in an automotive scheme?
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
In the comments a few astute readers brought up Volvo's Chinese ownership by Geely Automobile Holdings. Some of folks even raised suspicions about Geely's intentions in the US market. And that got me thinking, what if Volvo's resurgence is part of some master plan for China infiltrate the American car market?
In the 1962 John Frankenheimer classic, "The Manchurian Candidate" (also remade in 2004), American war hero Raymond Shaw, played by Frank Sinatra, is brainwashed into becoming a tool of a Communist conspiracy to assassinate the president. The conspirators use a "trigger" image to essentially turn Shaw into their own weapon.
What does this have to do with cars? Let's dig a little deeper...brainwashing often involves a manipulation of the subconscious by means of some weakness. It would seem "they" know our weakness quite well….
Who debuts a brown wagon? Not an organization that wants to sell cars to the masses...No, there must be something more intricate at work here...something more elaborate…and since when does Volvo use red as feature color for their cars? Since after Chinese ownership that's when…
So what do they want with us? What is the plan? You see we, as enthusiasts, are what the industry refer to as "influencers." Because we are plugged in to the market and know what is worth buying and what is not, people will ask our opinion as to future purchases. If today we recommend Volvo, it seems like a good suggestion; they are stylish, safe, and build quality vehicles. Now project 5-10 years down the road, Geely is selling cars in the US market. A prospective buyer asks one of us, "Hey, do you think those Geelys are any good, are they safe?" By then we have been so "programmed" by all the great products Volvo has given us…
So we say, "Yeah they are pretty good they are like a less expensive of Volvo." For most consumers, Volvo = safety, therefore, Geely must be safe. The trigger has been pulled.
The preceding scenario was pure ridiculousness so hopefully you kept reading before jumping to the comments. The reality is Chinese ownership of Volvo is probably the best thing to happen to the company in a long time. While Geely Automobile Holding does provide the financial backing, Volvo is still a Swedish car-maker. America has become over-saturated with Chinese products (I bet you are wearing and using a few right now); our sacred automobile seems to be the last line of defense against the invasion.
But ask yourself this...what do you feel more comfortable with- a Chinese company who makes their product in Sweden or an American company who makes their product in China?
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is a professional car buying consultant, lover of all things automotive and a bit wagon obsessed. You can find more ramblings and plenty of carporn !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
JustWaitingForAMate
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 20:39 |
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He's discovered our plan! He must be silenced!
JR1
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 20:50 |
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Honestly Volvo will have to do a lot more than make a couple fancy designs before I think of them as a good car company. Remember a few years back when Lotus made cars that looked like this?
Yep they are still in limbo today.
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Tom McParland
> JR1
03/01/2014 at 20:52 |
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I just hope Volvo becomes a viable and competitive alternative to the Germans.
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JR1
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 20:56 |
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With Chinese backing it might happen. But the viable German competition is becoming a big market now. Jaguar, Cadillac, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity, even arguably Tesla are all fighting for the role.
shop-teacher
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 21:29 |
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Does my shameless recommendation come with an opportunity to own a copy of the estate concept? Because I'm totally bribable!
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Tom McParland
> shop-teacher
03/01/2014 at 21:33 |
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If I was president of Volvo I would totally send you one!
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shop-teacher
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 21:52 |
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It would be a pleasure to serve the cause!
EL_ULY
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 22:33 |
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The 3 billion Geely invested in Volvo guarantees me to have a job at least for 10 years lol. 2 weekends ago, there was a manager's meeting in Las Vegas revealing the production version of the XC90. No cameras were allowed, but my boss said it was freaking incredible along with their future line ups.
Yes, the S90 will most likely be made in 2016
XC60, S60, V60 will be refreshed by then also. Waaay different.
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Tom McParland
> EL_ULY
03/01/2014 at 22:36 |
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What's the deal with the Concept Estate?....please be next V70
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EL_ULY
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 22:38 |
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Those are the 3 design study platforms from what my boss said. No more concepts will be released until the S90 concept in 2015
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EL_ULY
> Tom McParland
03/01/2014 at 22:39 |
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If the S90 is confirmed, so will the V70 ish vehicle is my best guess. The S80 IS on the chopping block.
With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
> Tom McParland
03/03/2014 at 10:59 |
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Why don't you pass the time by playing a little solitaire?
JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> Tom McParland
03/03/2014 at 11:00 |
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You brought up a great point.. Who really does release a brown wagon concept? Most companies make them in black or white or silver. Then they make this insane V8 race car and a bright blue wagon that makes a lot of power. Volvo is building an enthusiast market; they really are appealing to small niches, not direct consumer.
I hope they can still compete with the Germans.. The A4 and 3 series are very mainstream, and thats the point. Volvo isn't doing that with the S60 and it worries me a bit. I'm hoping they don't go Lotus on us.. Or die like those financial people said.
mazdaspeed2
> Tom McParland
03/04/2014 at 08:37 |
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That closing line was brilliant. Great article.
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Tom McParland
> mazdaspeed2
03/04/2014 at 08:38 |
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Thanks!
will_kern
> Tom McParland
03/06/2014 at 15:50 |
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So THAT's how I ended up in a lake after I first saw the concept