Ford moves forward with Volvo sale to Geely, expects sale to complete in early 2010

FoMoCo confirmed today that it has settled all substantive commercial terms to lead to the sale of Volvo Car Corporation to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited. Ford, which confirmed Geely as its preferred bidder earlier this year, said that some work still remains to be completed before the official signing off including documentation, financing and government approvals.

Ford and Geely both expect the sale to be finalized in the first quarter of 2010 with an official closing on the sale in the second quarter of 2010.

“The prospective sale would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement its core ONE Ford strategy,” Ford said in a statement.

“While Ford would continue to cooperate with Volvo Cars in several areas after a possible sale, the company does not intend to retain a shareholding in the business post-sale,” the Dearborn company said.

– By: Omar Rana