Håkan Samuelsson (b. 1951) — Biography & Facts

Volvo Cars confirmed on 30 March 2025 that Håkan Samuelsson will resume the role of chief executive officer. He succeeds Jim Rowan, who steps down on 31 March. This appointment marks a return to leadership for Samuelsson, who previously guided the automotive manufacturer from October 2012 until January 2022.

Technical Foundations

Born in 1951, Samuelsson attended the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm starting in 1972. He earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering. His career began in 1977 at Scania AB in Södertälje, Sweden, where he initially focused on the design of braking systems. Over the following two decades, he advanced through various technical management roles, culminating in his 1988 appointment as director of powertrain development. By 1996, he joined the Scania AB executive board with oversight of production and development.

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Leadership in Heavy Industry

In July 2000, Samuelsson moved to Germany to serve on the executive board of MAN Aktiengesellschaft and as chairman of the executive board for MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG, both based in Munich. He assumed the position of chairman of the executive board of MAN SE in January 2005. He retained this role until his resignation in November 2009.

Automotive Executive Tenure

Samuelsson transitioned to Volvo Cars in 2012, holding the chief executive officer position for a decade. During his professional activity, he also served as the board chair for Polestar. His tenure at Polestar concluded in 2024, with Winfried Vahland announced as his successor on 18 June 2024. In early 2025, Volvo Cars requested his return for a two-year term to navigate a period of market competition.