Geely, Ford talks for Volvo unit may 'fall apart'

Geely Holding Group Co's 10-month effort to buy Volvo from Ford Motor Co may fall apart within days as the companies struggle to agree on intellectual property rights, two people familiar with the talks said.

Geely and Ford officials are meeting in London this week to try to resolve the US automaker's concerns about sharing technology and future product plans, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private. Without an accord, Ford may opt to keep the Swedish unit, where losses are narrowing and sales are improving, the people said.

Concerns about intellectual property rights have hindered Chinese automakers' attempts to make acquisitions, slowing overseas expansion plans. In July, General Motors Co rejected an offer for Opel from Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co after failing to agree on safeguards for designs and technology.