The landscape at Volvo changed dramatically on April 1, 2025, when Hakan Samuelsson (74 years old) was again appointed CEO and President, replacing Jim Rowan after his resignation. Rowan’s tenure was marked by electrification milestones such as the launch of the EX90, EX30 and ES90, but also by significant technical challenges. The board of directors, led by Eric Li (Geely), decided that, given the geopolitical volatility and the slowdown in the global electricity market, the brand needed Samuelsson’s “experienced hand” again for a 24-month transition period.

The news in the sector is not only the balance of Samuelsson’s first year in his second stage – characterized by the resolution of the software problems that delayed the EX90 – but who will be his definitive successor. Samuelsson’s mission has been clear: stabilize the company, launch the long-awaited Volvo EX60 (presented in January this year) and prepare the ground for a long-term leader to take over in spring 2027.

Candidates will have to fill a big gap

The search for Samuelsson’s successor focuses on profiles that can balance the profitability of hybrid models (whose life has been strategically extended) with the deployment of the new SPA3 platform. Names echoing through the halls of Gothenburg include:

• Anders Bell: The current Director of Engineering and Technology is one of the internal favorites. He has been the architect of the centralized software architecture that has saved the 2025-2026 releases and has the full respect of the technical staff.
• Björn Annwall: Volvo Commercial Director, with deep insight into the global sales network and pricing strategy at a time of trade war with Chinese tariffs.
• Geely external profiles: It is not ruled out that the parent group looks for talent in other of its premium brands (such as Zeekr, Lynk & Co or Polestar) to ensure full technological integration between the group’s platforms.

Under his second term, Samuelsson has achieved what seemed impossible just a few months ago: turning Volvo into an efficient software company. The launch of the Volvo EX60 in January 2026 has been the first great success of its second stage, using the SPA3 platform that promises to be more scalable and profitable than the previous SPA2. A key achievement has been the unification of the central computing system (core computing) after years of difficulties.

Despite its important new electric units, Volvo has changed its strategy, although Samuelsson is committed to an electric future. The CEO of Volvo is very clear: “China will take a large part of the market.” As part of the new direction for the Swedish brand, Volvo has abandoned its plan to be 100% electric by 2030, adopting a pragmatic stance of 90-100% electrified (including plug-in hybrids) to adapt to real demand.

What awaits us in 2027 with the new CEO?

Volvo’s next leader, who should take office in April 2027, will not only receive a technologically healthy company, but will also have to manage the expansion of the brand in a US market marked by tariffs and an increasingly competitive China. The big question is whether the successor will maintain Samuelsson’s “get ahead of the pack” approach to software or return to a more aggressive volume strategy.