posted by
someone claiming to be Dan in NY
on
Thu Oct 30 08:54 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Hello,
I've been told the turbocharger in my 1996 855 T-5 is made by Mitsubishi. That's got me wondering how much of the car's major components are "not Volvo." Any thoughts?
--Dan L.
Binghamton NY
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posted by
someone claiming to be Frank
on
Sat Nov 1 03:55 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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The only thing that I know Volvo actually makes is their engines. Almost every other part on the car is made elsewhere but assembled by Volvo. Most cars (if not all) are the same way. Most US cars are also not truely "made in the USA" either, they're often made in Canada from parts made in Mexico and other various countries too.
Every part I ever see for any Volvo NEVER says "made in Sweden by Volvo", more like "made in France, Germany," and elsewhere.
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Hi Frank,
Many of the interior trim pieces are made in Sweden, especially the fragile ones. Ask me how I know.
Most of the mechanicals do seem to come from elsewhere though.
Bryan
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posted by
someone claiming to be Ray N.
on
Sun Nov 2 15:55 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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I believe they also build their own manual transmissions.
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there are 3 manufacturing plants for volvo in 1995
1 = Torslanda, Sweden
2 = Ghent, Belgium
3 = Halifax, Canada
mine is from ghent, belgium
Uddevalla, Sweden was added in 1996
Halifax, Canada was dropped in 2000 and Born, Netherlands was added
right now, the factories are
1 = Torslanda, Sweden
2 = Ghent, Belgium
F = Born, Netherlands
J = Uddevalla, Sweden
i luv it when i take things apart and the sticker on it still says april-1995 or may-1995...right b4 we bought it in june-1995 =)
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like many said... many "common" items are developed with or obtained from others... volvo used to use garret industries turbochargers (just about on all the rwd models)...they switched to mitsubishi for the 850 (and subsequent cars developed after).... now they have also used kkk (german) turbocharger on the new s60r/v70r. bosche motronic 4.3/4.4 engine managements were used...now it's bosche's me7+.... think the wiper blades are bosche too? shocks/struts are boge.. there is nothing really to worry about...since volvo was really more of an independent company .. and i'm guessing the mistubishi misconception is more the fact that mitsubishi is a gigantic company, they have all kinds of divisions.. from consumer electronics, to airconditions, to trucks, to cars, to turbochargers... and lets not forget the mitsubishi zero fighter plane from ww2... the mitsubishi collaboration on the 850 is simply with the mitsubishi heavy industries (i think that's what the turbocharger division is called...forgot)...not mistubishi cars...
even the inline-5 engine, altho still built by volvo, had input from audi/porsche for technical advice during development. specifically, volvo wanted a modular engine unit... e.g. one that could function as a i4 or i5 or i6, by simple addition of extra cylinder...
but the chassis, design, shape is all volvo... ford's major input did not start, has not start yet... the upcoming s40/v50 is based on the next-gen ford focus.. which is among the best fwd chassis in the world for the class... a ton better than the out-going charisma based s/v40... i still think ford's acquisition of volvo sits better in my stomach than renault's bid which fell thru...
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posted by
someone claiming to be Ray N.
on
Thu Oct 30 10:44 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Bosch does the electronics (Germany). Transmission is
Asian Warner (unles you have an S80 T6 which would have
a GM tranny). I bet lots of parts are sourced from
various European countries. I wonder where the leather comes
from? (Sweedish cows probably have a good union and are only
used for milk and cheese.)
Most auto manufactures assemble cars; they don't manufacture
as many parts as you might think. Although I believe almost all
of them do build their own engines and chassis. Search on
"automotive tier 1 suppliers" on google to see who manufactures
most of the bolt-on parts.
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Well I never knew the Turbo was manufactured by Mitsubishi but at least you know it's reliable. Volvo's are solid reliable cars. However, for engine reliability, Mitsubishi are one of the best.
The Volvo V40 (not sure if you get that model where ever you are) is built on the platform of the Mitsubishi Charisma (not sure if you get that one either). Either way, the V40 is less of a Volvo than your 850. In my mind the 850 is pure Volvo. It doesn't matter that some parts may be borrowed from other vehicles. That just shows that Volvo have identified areas where they can save money and improve reliability which ultimately benefits us all.
Enjoy your Swedish machine. Pure Volvo.
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posted by
someone claiming to be NLM
on
Thu Oct 30 09:27 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Beg to differ: Mitubishi is total garbage. Most have engines smoking after 50K and trannys last 60K max. on avg.
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I thought I was the only one who noticed all the Mitsubishis trailing blue smoke.
Though, they have sold a lot of cars in the U.S. to people with poor credit. The U.S. CEO recently got canned for this. In addition to not making car payments, these customers may never change the oil.
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I beg to differ on your begging to differ. I have been driving Mitsubishi Monteros for 14 years for my chosen shop vehicle. and have found them to be absoulutely bullet proof. How may times has Mitsubishi kicked everybody's butt in the Paris-Dakar(?) desert races,...they were the consistent winner year after year and next to the land rover,..they are one of the most respected 4X4s in the world. Some of the older V6s had valve stem seals that would get hard and crack with age and allow some of the V6s to smoke, but generally not till about 150 K. I have seen some of the turbo 4 smoke ,....probably a bad seal in the turbo,....but ,....the worst smoking turbo motor I have ever had was a Volvo 740 Turbo. It would fog 8 lanes of highway when I would drive it during the diagnosis phase. A rebuilt turbo fixed it. These problems with smoking can happen to any turbo car. I have never had a trans problem of any kind on any of my Monteros unlike most of my Mercedes Diesels which need rebuilding by 150K like clockwork. My "research" by the way is from 6 Monteros and probably 20 Mercedes over the years
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Regarding Mitsubishi reliability I have a 2.4 petrol engined utility that has done 230,000 reliable kilometres. So I bought another (2003 model) - first day had to return to dealer with major vibration problems. Fixed that problem (driveshaft unbalanced). Then engine had to be replaced under warranty after only 6,300 kilometres (major rattle in the bottom end. Nylon loop that unlocks seat back never attached at the factory. Rear seat had to be dismantled to get at it to attach it properly. Maybe they are turning them out too fast without adequate quality checks these days.
--
'98 N/A S70 130,000 Klm
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posted by
someone claiming to be jeffery47
on
Fri Oct 31 04:12 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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The seats are made by Lear, a Michigan company, who bought the seating plant, Hella usually makes the lighting, a German company. There is a lot of Bosch parts in Volvos.
I disagree that Mitsu's are all crap. I have seen Galants, even AWD turbo one, with multiple 100,000 miles on them. Remember, that Eclipses do well in SCCA Pro Rally, and also in WRC. Some people just don't keep their cars up, so they end up biting their owners back later. That said, some Mitsu supplied engines for DCX before the merger were not the greatest. There are people who love the turbo 4 cylinders, and that engine has been through a lot of development, up to the WRC Lancer.
It would cost Volvo too much to develop these parts on their own. They basically either look for off the shelf parts or put out requests for quotes to suppliers.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Dan in NY
on
Fri Oct 31 08:58 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Thanks, everyone, for the interesting feedback to my original query. I was especially interested to learn that the seats are made by Lear, in MI. These are the best car seats I've ever had!
On Mitsubishi cars -- I've read that Mitsu was caught falsifying data about the warranty repair work the company performs (made it look as though there were fewer repairs than was the actually the case). Click-and-Clack have regularly frowned on Mitsus too, citing the large number of recalls the company has apparently issued over the years. I'd be leary about owning one long-term, but I am very happy with the turbocharger they supply to Volvo! It sings.
Dan L.
Binghamton NY
'96 855 T-5
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