Monday, February 18, 2008

Ford and Volvo announce hybrid research center in Goteborg

Ford is building a new research center in Goteberg, Sweden where its subsidiary Volvo Cars is located. They are planning on researching new hybrid technology for all of Ford's brands in Europe and for Volvo worldwide.

Volvo will run the center, investing $1.36 billion in environmental technology for its fleet over the coming years.

Volvo Chief Executive Fredrik Arp said the new center "underlines the fact that Sweden has all the prerequisites for research and development excellence."

"Volvo Cars' commitment to the environment is long-standing and well-recognized. It is a part of what people know us for," Arp said.

Talk about mixed messages. Just yesterday, Ford stated they are not going to make their goal for hybrids, instead they are going to focus on alternative fuels. And on the other hand, they are opening a research center for hybrid technology they are willing to invest a billion dollars on.

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