Volvo buyers in China got an unwelcome surprise recently when they discovered some irregularities in a standard component.
According to Chinese media outlet Sohu, as reported by Carscoops, several owners posted concerns on social media about the speakers installed in their S60 sedans.
One customer reported that his upgraded, premium quality speakers from the brand Bowers & Wilkins weren’t there – instead, was a set labeled “Bowers & VVilkins” – with the second word starting with two capital Vs instead of the W.
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The owner also reported that their vehicle’s gearshaft – which on this high-end Volvo was made of a crystal-like material – was missing its typical light-emitting feature.
Other reports suggested a piling on of additional Volvo buyers who claimed similar findings – leading some to ask whether the counterfeit products were installed intentionally.
Volvo’s China division issued a statement as the backlash spread, saying the company “attaches great importance to the ‘irregular behavior in the new car sales process’ reported by some customers” and that it deeply apologized for the trouble and inconvenience.
Volvo also said it was launching a special investigation in order to root out what happened, stressing that it already utilizes “a strict full-link traceability management system for original accessories.” Volvo added that, in the future, it would “further strengthen the supervision and management of authorized dealers, comprehensively standardize sales service standards and processes, and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of every customer.”
All that said, some observers express concern that the damage has already been done.
Carscoops says local media in China indicates that Volvo’s brand reputation has been hit hard by the scandal, adding that “the incident raises uncomfortable questions about oversight and accountability within (Volvo’s) supply chain.”
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X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=LOCAL:00:00:00.000,MPEGTS:0
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Volvo buyers in China got an unwelcome surprise
recently when they discovered some
00:04.280 --> 00:06.590
irregularities in a standard component.
00:06.880 --> 00:10.760
According to Chinese media outlet SoHU, as
reported by Car Scoops,
00:10.960 --> 00:15.720
several owners posted concerns on social media
about the speakers installed in their S60
00:15.720 --> 00:19.399
sedans.
One customer reported that his upgraded premium
00:19.399 --> 00:23.309
quality speakers from the brand Bowers and
Wilkins weren't there.
00:23.719 --> 00:26.959
Instead was a set labeled Bowers and Wilkins.
00:27.379 --> 00:30.870
With the second word starting with two V's
instead of the W,
00:31.459 --> 00:34.180
the owner also reported that their vehicle's
gear shaft,
00:34.259 --> 00:37.450
which on this high-end Volvo was made of a
crystal-like material,
00:37.819 --> 00:42.659
was missing its typical light emitting feature.
Other reports suggested a piling on of
00:42.659 --> 00:47.419
additional Volvo buyers who claimed similar
findings, leading some to ask whether the
00:47.419 --> 00:50.130
counterfeit products were installed
intentionally.
00:50.380 --> 00:54.099
Volvo's China division issued a statement as
the backlash spread saying.
00:54.209 --> 00:59.229
The company attaches great importance to the
irregular behavior in the new car sales process,
00:59.560 --> 01:03.950
reported by some customers, and that it deeply
apologized for the trouble and inconvenience.
01:04.129 --> 01:08.919
Volvo also said it was launching a special
investigation in order to root out what
01:08.919 --> 01:14.120
happened, stressing that it already utilizes a
strict full-length traceability management
01:14.120 --> 01:16.120
system for original accessories.
01:16.480 --> 01:21.160
Volvo added that in the future it would further
strengthen the supervision and management of.
01:21.699 --> 01:26.290
dealers, comprehensively standardized sales
service standards and processes,
01:26.500 --> 01:30.430
and effectively protect the legitimate rights
and interests of every customer.
01:30.699 --> 01:35.510
All that said, some observers expressed concern
that the damage has already been done.
01:35.940 --> 01:40.569
Carskoop says local media in China indicates
that Volvo's brand reputation has taken a hit,
01:40.970 --> 01:46.300
adding that the incident raises uncomfortable
questions about oversight and accountability
01:46.580 --> 01:48.410
within Volvo's supply chain.
01:48.860 --> 01:50.849
I'm Anna Wells.
This is manufacturing now.
