Volvo and
Geely to work on a C-segment car, Continental GT Speed convertible at Nardo, and Indian buyers reject opulent
Mercedes models Volvo and its owner Geely will create a joint research and development factory in Gothenburg. It will be used to develop the modular architecture on a range of C-segment cars for both firms. The new centre is to be managed by Mats Fagerhag and employ around 200 people.
Much of the track testing for the new Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the world's fastest four-seat drop-top, took place at VW's Ehra-Lessien track in Germany and Nardo in Italy. They are two of the longest in Europe, and thus the only ones suited to sustained 200mph-plus work.
The Southern Indian market is a problem for luxury car makers as buyers are too reserved to find opulent cars appealing, believes Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche. There is far less of a tendency to show off their success than in other parts of the world, he said.