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Volvo launches plug-in hybrid vehicle project

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Mar 17, 2008.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Göteborg, Sweden – Volvo Car Corporation has joined with three other Sweden-based companies, including Saab, and the Swedish government to launch a research and development venture into plug-in hybrid vehicles. The field tests will be conducted in Sweden.

    Volvo launches plug-in hybrid vehicle project | CanadianDriver: Automotive news
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Mar 17, 2008
  2. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    Another example of bone-headed stubbornness. Volvo has access to the hybrid technology that Ford licensed from Toyota. Did they do anything with it (like incorporate it into a hybrid XC90)? NOT. Now, because of all the interest around hybrids, they start a hybrid exercise. Kind of like how they had to be 'encouraged' to develop the XC90 after Ford purchased Volvo.
     
    #2 apriusfan, Mar 20, 2008
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Doesn't GM have an interest in Saab? They could use the Volt technology, why reinvent the wheel? Oh hang on, the volt is only a concept.
     
    #3 patsparks, Mar 21, 2008
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I remember seeing years ago, a show on the History Channel which showed a Volvo turbine series hybrid delivery truck. I also heard a rumor that Fords hybrid tech originated in Volvo.

    It is possible that this venture has backing from the the Swedish government, and thus a domestic only co-op.
     
    #4 Trollbait, Mar 23, 2008
  5. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    It originated at Toyota: Ford to Use Toyota's Hybrid Technology - New York Times

    I doubt it as the car company participants are subsidiaries of U.S. companies.
     
    #5 apriusfan, Mar 23, 2008
  6. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    It's good that they're doing this, but this is a research project, so will be 5 to 10 years before an actual car comes out of it.
     
    #6 daniel, Mar 24, 2008
  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Ford may have licensed some of Toyota's tech, but it did not originate with Toyota. Ford developed their own system, but Toyota beat them to the patent office. So they reached an agreement on the 21 of 350 Toyota patents Ford's system might infringe upon. Toyota got access to some of Ford's emission and direct injection spark ignition(DISI) technology in exchange of letting Ford have access to the the hybrid tech.

    Future Toyota's will have Ford tech in them.
    Ford, Toyota Swap License Agreements | Mechanical Engineering | Find Articles at BNET.com
    Car Prices and Research - Toyota and Ford Reach Hybrid Technology Agreement


    With a Swedish power company, and battery & fuel cell company, it appears to be a Swede only partnership.
     
    #7 Trollbait, Mar 24, 2008
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