沃尔沃的魔咒

    沃尔沃是否能摆脱厄运还不得而知。美国一度是沃尔沃最大的市场，不过去年沃尔沃在美国只卖出了67,240辆汽车，只有2004年的一半。今年到目前为止，沃尔沃的销量比去年还稍稍有所不及，甚至不如三菱（Mitsubishi）这种常年落后的品牌。而宝马的销量则是沃尔沃的四倍。

    今年三月的日内瓦车展上，沃尔沃展示了换新东家之后的首款车型——五门掀背车V40。它也是全球首款配备了行人安全气囊的汽车。不过掀背也好、行人气囊也好，都不大可能会吸引美国的消费者。

    至于沃尔沃240，作为一款经典老车，它的声誉和吸引力却历久弥新。可惜的是，沃尔沃已经把它的旅行车撤出了美国市场，现在只在美国销售跨界车型了。

    译者：朴成奎

    Whether Volvo can ever shake off its jinx is in question. In the U.S., once its biggest market, it sold just 67,240 cars last year -- half its total in 2004. So far this year, it is running slightly below that rate, leaving it behind traditional laggards like Mitsubishi. Meanwhile, BMW enjoys four times the volume.

    At the Geneva auto show in March, Volvo showed its first model designed under its new owner. Named the V40, it is a five-door hatchback with the world's first pedestrian air bag that ejects from the hood. Neither the hatchback design nor the airbag is likely to appeal to American buyers.

    As for the 240, it seems likely to only grow in reputation and appeal. Volvo has withdrawn its wagon from the U.S. market and now sells only crossovers.