A customer purchasing a Volvo in China took to the internet when he discovered that he didn’t quite get what he paid for. The gearshift lever inside Volvo S60 seemed off and wouldn’t emit any backlighting the way it was supposed to, but a far more apparent issue arose when the owner inspected the car’s audio system. According to Chinese media outlet Sohu, the Bowers & Wilkins speakers inside the vehicle read “Bowers & VVilkins.”
The dealer was of little help to the car’s owner when confronted about the issue, as a language barrier and the dealer’s apparent inability to distinguish between a W and two V’s led to them to refuse replacing the vehicle. Since the incident came to light, other Volvo owners in China have come out to report finding speakers labeled “Bovvers and Wilkins” and “Bowers and VVilkins” inside their cars.
It has yet to be determined if these cases are linked to one dealer or are indicative of a more widespread problem. For their part, Volvo’s Chinese division has since published a statement apologizing for the incidents, and stating that they are now conducting an investigation on the matter:
“Volvo Cars attaches great importance to the ‘irregular behavior in the new car sales process’ reported by some customers recently,” said Volvo. “We deeply apologize for the trouble and inconvenience caused to customers by this incident. Volvo Cars always stands with its customers and will never tolerate any behavior that harms the interests of users. After the incident, Volvo Cars immediately launched a special investigation. We will uphold the principles of openness and transparency, thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident, and properly handle it in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of customers are fully protected.”
See also: Hyundai says drivers want more buttons, less touchscreens
