3
Klaus Zellmer
Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer
2027 – Present
-1 years (current)
Legacy
As a key executive, he played an important role in driving the brand's aggressive push toward digital sales and direct-to-consumer models.
Volvo Car AB
Automotive ManufacturingFounded 1927- HQ today: Gothenburg, Sweden
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Leadership History
Volvo Cars: CEO History
3 leaders · 2022 to present
Who is the CEO of Volvo Cars?
Håkan Samuelsson is the CEO of Volvo Cars, in the role since 2025. The first chief executive was Jim Rowan, from 2022.
- Current CEO
- Håkan Samuelsson (since 2025)
- First CEO
- Jim Rowan (2022)
- Leaders documented
- 4
- Founded
- 1927
| Name | Role | From | To | Years in role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klaus Zellmer | Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer | 2027 | Present | -1 |
| Håkan Samuelsson | President and Chief Executive Officer | 2025 | Present | 1 |
| Jim Rowan | Former CEO | 2022 | 2025 | 3 |
Company Overview
Volvo Cars is a public Swedish premium carmaker headquartered in Gothenburg. It reported ~$35.7 billion (SEK 357.3 billion) in FY2025 revenue, sold 710,000 cars and employed about 42,600 people on average in 2025. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Volvo Cars earns most of its revenue from selling new cars, mainly SUVs such as the XC60, XC90, XC40/EX40 and EX30, through dealers, fleet sales and online channels. Parts, service, accessories, financing and subscription services add further revenue. Electrified models (battery-electric plus plug-in hybrid) made up 46% of sales in 2025. Volvo shares platforms and components with Geely group brands, and plans to raise that parts commonality to cut material costs.
2
Håkan Samuelsson
President and Chief Executive Officer
2025 – Present
1 year (current)
Key Decisions & Impact
Samuelsson executed the absolute masterstroke turnaround of Volvo under Geely's ownership, radically modernizing the entire lineup with the incredibly beautiful 'SPA' platform and aggressively committing to a fully electric future.
Legacy
Serving as CEO from 2012 to 2022, he took a deeply stagnant, near-bankrupt brand and transformed it into the absolute fastest-growing premium automaker in the world, achieving record profits.
1
Jim Rowan
Former CEO
2022 – 2025
3 years
Key Decisions & Impact
Rowan managed the incredibly turbulent launch of the EX90 flagship electric SUV, fiercely battling absolutely massive software delays while aggressively pushing the brand's pivot toward cutting-edge core computing.
Legacy
As current CEO (and former CEO of Dyson), he brings absolutely critical consumer electronics and software expertise to an automaker desperately trying to survive the transition to software-defined vehicles.
Other senior executives
These officers report to the chief executive and are not part of the CEO timeline above.
- Fredrik Hansson, Chief Financial Officer (2025 – present)Source →
Challenges & Strategic Context
Volvo Cars is dealing with US import tariffs, sharp price competition and falling volumes in China, currency headwinds, and pricing pressure in Europe. Its EBIT margin has stayed well below its long-term ambition of 8%, and the company is in the middle of a leadership handover.
Volvo Cars CEO and Leadership FAQ
Who have been Volvo Cars' recent CEOs?
Håkan Samuelsson (2012 to 2022), Jim Rowan (2022 to March 2025), and Samuelsson again from April 2025.
Who is Klaus Zellmer?
CEO of Škoda Auto since 2022, previously on the Volkswagen Passenger Cars board and a long-time Porsche executive. He becomes Volvo Cars CEO no later than 1 October 2027.
Related Leadership Timelines
Compare executive leadership tenures and strategic transitions
Explore Volvo Cars
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