Are Volvo engines made by Ford?
Volvo engines are not made by Ford. Since Ford ceased ownership of Volvo Cars in 2010, Volvo develops and manufactures its own engines, with the Drive-E four-cylinder family at the core of contemporary models.
The question taps into a historical relationship: Ford owned Volvo Cars from 1999 until the sale to Geely in 2010, after which Volvo established its own powertrain strategy under Geely ownership. This article explains the current arrangement and the historical context surrounding Volvo engine production.
A brief history of Volvo and Ford
Key milestones that define the relationship between Volvo and Ford, and Volvo’s current engine strategy, are outlined below.
- 1999: Ford Motor Company purchases Volvo Cars from AB Volvo, integrating Volvo into Ford’s global lineup.
- 2010: Ford sells Volvo Cars to Geely, bringing Volvo under Chinese ownership and away from Ford’s corporate structure.
- During Ford’s ownership, there were collaborations on platforms and components as part of the broader Ford-Volvo program, but Volvo’s core engines remained developed by Volvo.
- 2013–present: Volvo launches the Drive-E engine family—turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines—largely designed and produced in-house under Geely ownership, with production centered in Sweden (Skövde) and regional production for specific markets.
- China market: Volvo’s engines for Chinese-market vehicles are produced within Geely’s broader manufacturing network to serve local demand.
In short, today Volvo engines are not made by Ford; the current powertrain strategy is managed by Volvo Cars (Geely) with production concentrated in Sweden and China.
Volvo’s current engine strategy
At the heart of Volvo’s modern powertrains is the Drive-E four-cylinder family, designed to deliver efficiency and performance across a wide range of models. The strategy emphasizes in-house development and a lean manufacturing footprint.
- Drive-E four-cylinder family: turbocharged petrol and diesel variants used across Volvo’s lineup.
- Electrified options: includes mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
- In-house design and production: engines are developed and manufactured by Volvo Cars, leveraging Geely’s investment and integration with Volvo’s engineering teams.
- Global production footprint: primary engine manufacturing is in Sweden (Skövde), with localized production in China to support regional markets.
These points underscore that Ford plays no role in today’s Volvo engine production, and Volvo’s powertrain evolution remains a product of Volvo Cars under Geely ownership.
Manufacturing footprint
The main engine plant for Volvo Cars is located in Skövde, Sweden, where the Drive-E family and related powertrains are produced. For markets like China, Volvo utilizes regional manufacturing capabilities within Geely’s network to ensure local supply and compliance with market requirements.
Summary
Ford does not manufacture Volvo engines today. Volvo Cars, now owned by Geely, develops and produces its own powertrains, led by the Drive-E four-cylinder family, with production centered in Sweden and China. The historical Ford-Volvo relationship ended with Geely’s acquisition, and Volvo’s current engine strategy is independent of Ford.
Is the Volvo D4 engine a Ford?
Volvo used a mixture of Ford engines, and its own five-cylinder turbo units, up until 2014, when all the engines began to be replaced by Volvo's new (and still-current) family of Swedish-designed and built four-cylinder turbo engines. The best engine is Volvo's own 2.0-litre D4 diesel, with 190hp.
Is Volvo part of Ford Motor Company?
No, Ford does not own Volvo; Geely Holding Group, a Chinese company, acquired Volvo Cars in 2010. Ford owned Volvo from 1999 to 2010, but sold it after facing financial difficulties during the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
- Ford's ownership: Ford Motor Company bought Volvo in 1999.
- Sale to Geely: In 2010, Ford sold Volvo to the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
- Current ownership: Geely Holding Group is the current owner of Volvo Cars.
- Note: While the two companies are now separate, they share the "Volvo" name, which is owned by a joint venture between the two companies.
Is Volvo more reliable than Ford?
When comparing the Ford brand to the Volvo brand, Ford has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, horsepower, towing capacity and retained value. Volvo has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety and variety of models offered.
Who makes engines for Volvo?
Volvo makes its own engines, with primary manufacturing facilities in Skövde, Sweden, and Zhangjiakou, China. While Volvo has a long history of in-house production, engines for specific applications like marine or heavy-duty vehicles may have different manufacturing details or even some shared components with other companies, such as the use of GM blocks for some Volvo Penta engines.
- In-house production: Volvo Cars manufactures its own petrol and diesel engines, known as the Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) family.
- Manufacturing locations: The main engine plants are located in Skövde, Sweden, and Zhangjiakou, China. A new plant in Tanjung Malim, Malaysia, began production in 2022.
- Historical context: Volvo has been making its own engines since its founding in 1927. In 1935, Penta, the company that designed the first engine for the Volvo car, became a subsidiary of Volvo, Wikipedia says.
- Specific engine types:
- Volvo Cars: Produces its own VEA engines, which are marketed under the Drive-E designation.
- Volvo Penta: Manufactures engines for marine and industrial use. Some of these engines use General Motors engine blocks, Soundings Online reports.
- Ownership: Volvo Cars is owned by Geely, a Chinese company.
- Future focus: Volvo is moving toward electric and hybrid powertrains and has a joint venture with Geely to produce hybrid engines.
