" Oh, but you're so wrong. Yes, true that the '02 model and more recent has better ETM's, but you are going to see Volvo replacing the older ETM's free of charge, I'd say, many times without asking questions."

Why do you say that I'm wrong when so far, I'm right? Where are you getting your info from besides a newspaper article? Until I see this happening (written info from VCNA), I'm not going to believe it.
If Volvo does cover presently out of warranty ETMs, there'd then be a national campaign or recall and to date, nothing like that exists for ETMs.

Sure, Volvo knew those units were bad before '01 as that's why they redesigned them for '02s.
What about 850, X70 AC evaporators, S80 trannies, etc, etc? Volvo never replaced those for free either once out of warranty.
Volvo has had and STILL does have MANY other major car part issues too (like many other manufacturers) yet usually once the warranty's up, the owner's typically SOL.
You should see some of the major issues we've seen with a few '05s. Volvos aren't getting better :(