Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. On the Move
January 04, 2022 09:07 AM

Volvo's new CEO to succeed Samuelsson is former Dyson executive Jim Rowan

Samuelsson will remain chairman of EV maker Polestar

Staff and wire reports
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    rowan.jpg
    Volvo

    Volvo's new boss, Jim Rowan, was CEO of Dyson between 2017 and 2020 and COO from 2012 to 2017.

    STOCKHOLM -- Volvo Cars has hired former Dyson Group executive Jim Rowan as its new CEO to succeed Hakan Samuelsson.

    Rowan was Dyson's CEO between 2017 and 2020 when the British tech company was developing an electric car, an idea it later dropped. Before working at Dyson, Rowan was chief operating officer at BlackBerry maker Research In Motion.

    The 56-year-old Scottish executive will succeed Samuelsson, 70, on March 21, Volvo said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Rowan is currently CEO at U.S-based consumer electronics brand Ember Technologies, a job he has held for less than a year. He is taking over just months after Volvo wrapped up its IPO, the biggest in Europe last year.

    Rowan will face the task of steering the Swedish automaker, which is majority owned by China's Geely Holding, toward its goal of getting half of its global sales from full-electric cars by mid-decade and be an electric-only brand by 2030.

    Volvo said Rowan's global experience in digitalization, disruption, innovation, engineering and supply chains will be valuable for the automaker to realize its strategic ambitions.

    Samuelsson will remain as chairman of electric vehicle maker Polestar.

    Samuelsson joined Volvo's board in 2010 and has been CEO at the automaker for almost 10 years, with his contract coming to an end this year.

    Polestar, in which Volvo owns 49 percent, aims to go public through a reverse merger with special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Gores Guggenheim. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2022.

    Rowan was Dyson CEO from 2017 to 2020 and chief operating officer from 2012 to 2017. During his time at Dyson, Rowan delivered record growth and financial results for Dyson, according to Volvo's release.

    Rowan worked for Research In Motion as COO from 2008-2012. During the period the company boosted revenue to $20 billion from $5 billion.

    From 1998 to 2005 he was vice president of operations at Flextronics, a $25 billion global manufacturing company with more than 200,000 employees at more than 100 factories worldwide.

    Rowan was born in Glasgow. He studied mechanical and production engineering and electrical and electronic engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University and Glasgow School of Technology. He holds a master's degree in business with supply chain management and logistics from Northumbria University, northern England.

    Reuters contributed to this report

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    JLR names new boss for Jaguar brand ahead of EV shift
    Recommended for You
    Jaguar Rawdon Glover
    JLR names new boss for Jaguar brand ahead of EV shift
    Mazda's Masahiro Moro, left, is pictured with Akira Marumoto
    Mazda promotes company veteran Moro to CEO
    CharlesSanderson-MAIN.jpg
    Rivian's chief engineer returns to McLaren
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us