Li Shufu

“We realized you cannot create a car by simply gathering needed components.”

“We lived in a farm village, and no one could afford to buy a car or to fly. We were envious. We couldn't afford any toys. I couldn't imagine making a real car.”

“I think it is definitely right to listen to the Party and follow up government's instructions.”

“Life is a question without a standard answer.”

“We are not selling the black cab in large enough volumes. We want to expand globally.”

“Volvo is like a mysterious, beautiful woman. We just look at her from far away, amazed. We don't dare get close to her. We're just a bunch of farm boys.”

“We will do whatever the government tells us to do, which is a critically important principle of the Chinese market economy, and there is nothing more for discussion about it.”

“I believe the auto industry is a competition of human resources, competition of funding, competition of technology - and the competition is international.”

“Volvo has one weakness, and that is in the interior design. They have not adapted to the Chinese people's perception of luxury when it comes to the interior design, and this has to be addressed.”

“Particularly in China, I think a lot of people start to realise, OK, what are the things that they truly should value? That's something that fits perfectly well with what Volvo is offering.”

“Our dream is to see Geely vehicles driven all over the world.”

“In general, what we want to do is to elevate Volvo's brand positioning, and we feel the main lever to achieve that is to develop more higher-tier products.”

“No matter how hard we work, there is always a gap with Western brands.”

“Chinese entrepreneurs have to implement their work under the leadership of the Party and the government - it is very clear.”

“We carry out our work under the leadership of the government.”

“Design is very, very critical for the success of the car. We want to find the distinctive features for Chinese cars on the world stage.”

“Chinese... companies do not have to think about whether they do something to enhance their competitive edge in international markets.”

“I believe the auto business is a highly comprehensive and complicated business. It's not that easy for people simply to enter and ruin the whole thing.”

“Product investment, quality management, and all the things that are key for a car company - great, there has been no compromise in those aspects. But I feel there's a lot we could do on communication, particularly from a Chinese perspective.”

“In this fast-developing world, particularly in the fast-transforming China market, we really need to take this opportunity and offer a modern interpretation of Scandinavian design which fits people's demands perfectly.”