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Visiting Volvo Group, Trucks Technology, Advanced Technology and Research, Shanghai, China.
Text & Photo © JE Nilsson, CM Cordeiro 2013

On the second day of our visit in Shanghai, we had the pleasure of meeting with the Director of Advanced Technology & Research at the Volvo Group Headquarter in Shanghai. If it is confusing for a Swede to keep track of the difference between Volvo Cars (owned by the Chinese Geely Holding Group) and Volvo AB, very much still a Swedish company, it is even worse for the Chinese, where a representative from Volvo Group Shanghai told that she often got questions from relatives if she could help them buy a Volvo car on staff discount.

Today’s meeting was with the Volvo Group.

On pretty much the same day as the Volvo Trucks new advertising video with stunt artist actor Jean-Claude Van Damme went viral, we met with the Volvo Group’s R&D in Shanghai.

As a researcher it was interesting to have their views on for example global to local logistics, since they are in fact one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, with subsidiaries that include Mack Trucks, Renault Trucks, UD Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Buses, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Penta.

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The flags of Sweden, China and Volvo greet visitors upon arrival at the Shanghai offices at Jin Jing Road in Pudong New District.

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Some of Volvo Group’s products and models of products, displayed at the reception area.

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One of Volvo EC’s fifteen range products on display.

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Factory grounds.

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Director of the Centre for International Business Studies (CIBS), Professor Claes G. Alvstam, with two representatives of Volvo Group, Shanghai.

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One of Volvo’s attractive campaign posters.

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At the seminar with Volvo Group R&D.

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“We are where you are!” ~ The Volvo Group Today and Tomorrow, Group Presentation 2013.
The Volvo Group has sales in more than 190 countries worldwide, both in mature and new markets, and employs about 115,000 people.

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Faculty members, Business School of the University of Gothenburg, visiting Volvo Group, Shanghai. This delegation was headed by Professor Ola Bergström of Management and Organisation, together with CIBS.