End 2003 or early 2004, simply because Volvo has sold it's share in the factory where the S/V40's are built and then it will be fully owned by Daimler-Chrylser and no Volvo's will be built there anymore. (the factory will be re-tooled to start producing new versions of the MCC-SMART microcars)

This is the only factory that builds the current S/V40's and the new factory in Ghent will only build the new S40/V50.

As far as I know there will hardly be any 'overlap' in production. Only during the initial pre-production stages of the new S40 and V50 will both factories be operations. But once actual customer cars of the new models start to roll off the production line will the current model cease.

Depending on the market, some cars may be in stock for a while if they build an excess number of cars in the closing stages, but that will be it.

Here in europe are volvo's usually 'built to order', so no cars are in stock. Any new orders placed after middle-2003 will probably be for the new model.

Bye, Arno.