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According to Carscoops, a Volvo S60 owner received an additional audio setup as a promotional gift from a Chinese Volvo dealer. However, when comparing it to other S60 models, the owner noticed some anomalies.
Chinese news outlet Sohu reported that the aforementioned speakers were labeled as Bowers & VVilkins – instead of the letter ‘W’, the brand name featured two ‘V’s.
The owner clarified that their S60 was not equipped with the authentic 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The crystal gear knob also lacked the usual illuminating feature found in high-end Volvo vehicles.
When the owner contacted the dealership, things became more complicated. Reportedly, the sales staff could not speak English and failed to distinguish between ‘W’ and ‘VV’. This led to the dealership refusing to replace the speakers, insisting that they had provided the correct type of high-quality, genuine speakers.
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A closer look at the engraving on the speakers raised suspicions that the Volvo was fitted with counterfeit branded products. Image: Sohu. |
After the story surfaced on social media, several Volvo users reported similar incidents. According to JoongAng Ilbo, numerous other Volvo owners in China discovered that their vehicles were equipped with “Bowers & VVilkins” or even “Bovvers & Wilkins” speakers.
This raised suspicions about whether these Volvo vehicles were intentionally fitted with counterfeit branded products.
As per Carscoops, it remains unclear which Volvo models are affected by this “fake speaker” issue and whether they were all sold by the same dealership.
In a post on the social media platform Weibo, Volvo China affirmed that it is taking seriously the “abnormal behaviors in the new car sales process” reported by some customers recently. The Swedish automaker expressed its sincere apologies and asserted that it always stands with its customers and never tolerates any behavior that harms consumers’ rights and interests.
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Authentic Bowers & Wilkins speakers on the door of a Volvo S60. Image: Volvo. |
Volvo also immediately launched a special investigation, pledging to handle the matter in accordance with laws and regulations to safeguard customers’ rights and legal interests.
“Volvo Cars implements a fully linked and stringent traceability management system for genuine accessories. All genuine accessories meet unified global quality standards, providing customers with a safe driving experience,” Volvo China shared.
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