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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg The automaker will launch a plug-in hybrid in Europe by 2012. (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1036469_volvo-will-bring-diesels-and-plug-in-hybrids-to-u-s)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Volvo_C30_BEV.jpgViknesh Vijayenthiran - MOTORAUTHORITY (http://www.motorauthority.com) - October 12th, 2009

Is it enough to save the iconic brand? --Ed.

Struggling Swedish automaker Volvo announced back in June that it will releasing a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012 as the latest step under its ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ eco-campaign. Late last month Volvo CEO Stephen O'Dell reaffirmed the company's plans to get the diesel-electric plug-in hybrid on the road, and now the automaker’s U.S. chief has revealed that advanced Volvo plug-in hybrids and diesels will be coming to North America--eventually.

Volvo’s U.S. chief, Doug Speck, has revealed that his company will add diesel models and plug-in hybrids, as well as more fuel-efficient gasoline models, to its U.S. lineup in an effort to meet tougher fuel economy standards.

"It's unclear ultimately what percentage of each is going to drive the industry," Speck said in a recent interview, speaking of the corporate average of 35.5 mpg required by 2016.

Factors Volvo needs to address include fuel prices, now and into the future, the general interest levels in hybrids and the... http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1036469_volvo-will-bring-diesels-and-plug-in-hybrids-to-u-s

It's about &*($ time!

Great to finally at least get some lip service from Volvo. When I've talked to them about fuel economy in the past, sales reps and managers at our local Volvo dealerships have been among the most hostile of any in town. I have to assume at least some of the attitude is coming from the manufacturer itself. But
Speck wasn’t willing to confirm a local launch date for any new Volvo plug-in hybrids or diesels in the U.S.
doesn't give me a whole lot of warm fuzzies. It takes a lot of R&D to make a diesel clean enough for the North American market, and that takes time. If they're not even willing to commit to a date, to me that says that actual FE vehicles sitting on dealer lots are still years away.