Was Volvo a part of Ford?
Volvo Cars was owned by Ford from 1999 to 2010, while Volvo Group was never part of Ford. In 2010, Ford sold Volvo Cars to Geely, and today the two Volvo entities operate independently.
To understand what that means, it's important to distinguish between Volvo Cars, the passenger-car maker, and Volvo Group, the truck and commercial-vehicles business. Here is a concise look at the history and current status.
Two Volvo entities: a quick primer
The following sections explain how Volvo's two main business arms evolved and why Ford's involvement applies to one, but not the other.
Volvo Cars: Ford era (1999–2010)
In 1999, Ford Motor Company acquired Volvo Cars from AB Volvo, bringing the car brand into Ford's fold for about a decade. The sale ended in 2010 when Ford sold Volvo Cars to Geely, marking Volvo Cars' departure from Ford and its transition to Chinese ownership.
Volvo Group: independent throughout
The Volvo Group—the maker of trucks, buses, and construction equipment—was not owned by Ford. At the 1999 split from AB Volvo, the Volvo Group remained with AB Volvo and continued as a separate, publicly traded entity. It has operated independently from Ford since then.
Timeline: key ownership milestones for Volvo Cars
Chronology of the major events that define Ford's relationship with Volvo Cars.
- 1999: Ford Motor Company acquires Volvo Cars from AB Volvo, bringing the car-maker under Ford's umbrella.
- 2010: Ford completes the sale of Volvo Cars to Geely, transferring ownership outside Ford's control.
The timeline above captures the central ownership shifts that lead to the current separation.
Key distinctions between Volvo Cars and Volvo Group
To avoid confusion, here are the main differences between the two Volvo-branded entities today.
- Volvo Cars is the passenger-car manufacturer currently owned by Geely (since 2010); Ford never owned Volvo Cars before 1999, and after 2010 it no longer owned it.
- Volvo Group (AB Volvo) is the original Volvo Group, focused on trucks, buses, and construction equipment, and it remains independent of Ford.
- Ownership structure: Volvo Cars and Volvo Group are separate companies with different owners and corporate structures, created when AB Volvo split in 1999.
- Product focus: Volvo Cars targets consumer automobiles; Volvo Group targets commercial vehicles and engines.
Current status and context
Geely now owns Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group continues as an independent Swedish company with a broad range of industrial vehicles. The Volvo brand remains a staple in both consumer and commercial vehicle segments, but the two entities operate under separate ownership and governance.
Summary
The core answer is straightforward: Volvo Cars was part of Ford from 1999 to 2010; Volvo Group has never been part of Ford. Since 2010, Volvo Cars has belonged to Geely, while Volvo Group remains a separate, independent company. The two share branding but operate as distinct businesses with different owners and markets.
Does Ford own Volvo?
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.
Did Volvo use Ford engines?
Until 2014, Volvo Cars used some engines of its own and others from Ford. Now, however, the Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) set of engines is found in all Volvo vehicles. This family of three- and four-cylinder engines are entirely designed by the Scandinavian company.
What year did Ford make Volvo?
Ford Motor Company authority (1999–2010)
In 1999, Ford Motor purchased Volvo Autos at a rate of about $6.45 billion. At that period, it competed with the biggest brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, preferring luxury and technology.
What brands are owned by Ford?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln brands, along with the Motorcraft auto parts brand. In the past, Ford also owned brands like Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, but has since sold them or discontinued them.
Currently owned brands
- Ford: The company's main brand, offering a wide range of vehicles worldwide.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury vehicle division.
- Motorcraft: A brand that sells auto parts.
- Troller: A Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer that Ford acquired in 2007.
Formerly owned brands
- Mercury: A mid-priced brand that Ford discontinued in 2011.
- Jaguar: Sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Land Rover: Also sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Volvo: Sold to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010.
