Netizens look forward to a better Volvo under Geely
- Source: Global Times
- [17:45 February 21 2010]
- Comments
By Shi Jierui
Global Times has received 349 votes over the polls about Geely's bid for Volvo after the Chinese automaker said it wouldn't sign the deal on the sale of the Ford Motor's Swedish unit by the Chinese New Year (http://autos.globaltimes.cn/china/2010-02/505043.html).
As for the question "Will Geely operate Volvo better than Ford did", 38 percent of those responded showed their confidence on Geely. They believed once the automaker signs deal with Ford, it would operate Volvo better than its American counterpart did.
However, polls with the same number show some netizens' concerns over Geely's future. Net users Feng Moran and Wang Yixuan said once Geely gets Volvo, the models with Geely-Volvo brand would have little attraction to some Chinese customers.
When it comes to the question "Will Geely's purchase of Volvo help improve the company's brand image", 68 percent agree with the saying that Geely's purchase of Volvo will help improve the company's brand image.
For the question "What is the most significant influence of Geely's Volvo deal on China automakers", 36.84 percent of those voted are for the easier way for Chinese automakers to enter the European market.
Sixty-six percent of voters thought domestic automakers can get advanced technical resources and experiences from the foreign automaker. Net user Rong Xiaolin said that the specialty of Volvo could bring Geely more advanced technologies and he believed it's an opportunity for Chinese automakers to develop better. The remaining 24.56 percent thought the deal is just another case of cross-border acquisitions.
When asked the biggest challenge for Geely since it has joined in the purchase, 70 percent of net users expressed their unsure feelings for the Chinese automaker. They doubt whether Geely can control a western automaker in China well. Management, in the net users' eyes, is the biggest challenge for Geely.
Thirty-three percent of voters are for the cost to operate the foreign brand, and 26.27 percent are for the development of new models while the rest is for money which Geely has borrowed from Chinese banks.
Some net users still doubt about the value of buying Volvo. Jiang Youwei, one of the netizens, spoke some people's thinking, "A profitable company won't be sold out." However, some other net users are positive on the purchase and they thought if Geely works hard to operate the Volvo brand, the acquisition would become a success and bring benefits to both the Chinese government and Chinese customers.
