Chinese Astronauts prefer Volvo

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From Wired.com

Four pioneers in Chinese space exploration have made it their mission to purchase Volvo S80L sedans.  That’s one small step for man, one giant sedan for the garage.

After returning safely from the Shenzhou 7 space mission, taikonauts Yang Liwei, Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng purchased matching luxury cars. According to Volvo Cars China, the quartet decided on the Chinese-exclusive S80L for three reasons: the car is safe, built locally, and the “brand image expresses premiumness and is not ostentatious.”

“We are very proud to have the four astronauts as Volvo owners,” Volvo Cars China CEO Alexander Klose said in a statement. “Volvo will convoy these heroic astronauts  on land, with our premium quality and holistic top notch safety. We look forward to their greater contributions to China’s space cause.”

In order to satisfy the demanding taste of Chinese luxury car buyers, Volvo Cars China stretched an ordinary S80 by nearly half a foot — all of it for the benefit of rear passengers. For extra premiumness, they installed TVs in the headrests and beefed up backseat creature comforts. Even though they piloted their craft into space, these astronauts clearly aren’t planning on driving themselves to work.