Volvo hits back at Gordon Brown comparison...

[dutchman]

Volvo has hit back after it emerged that Gordon Brown's private pollsters had compared him to the firm's cars because he was "robust" but "dour".



The manufacturer said its vehicles were actually "dynamic and agile" - jibing that if Labour had the same qualities the UK's economy would not be in such a mess.

Secret documents from 2005-7 have revealed that Mr Brown's closest allies nicknamed their efforts to install him as Prime Minister "Project Volvo".

The material, leaked to the Daily Telegraph, included polling suggesting that the then-chancellor was seen as "steadfast" and "robust", but also a "dour numbers man", likening him to the car brand.

David Cameron, recently elected as Tory leader, was perceived as a more exciting "sports car" or "BMW", according to the research.

However, Volvo said the findings showed "how out of touch with reality senior politicians within the previous government had become with modern Britain".

Peter Rask, regional president for the UK, said: "If only the Labour Party had been like today's Volvos - dynamic, agile and innovative - perhaps the UK economy would have been in a better place than it finds itself today!"