Volvo raises retail boss to head Euro trucks wing
Volvo has promoted Claes Nilsson to head its European trucks division. He will replace Roar Isaksen, who is leaving to join Swedish components manufacturer Plastal Group as president and chief executive.
Nilsson was previously responsible for European retail development at Volvo Trucks. He will take up his new role – head of Volvo Trucks Europe – at the end of the month.
Nilsson has held a number of senior positions at the company, including head of strategic planning.
The European division of Volvo Trucks sold 49,200 vehicles in 2006, which makes up 47% of the company’s 105,500 total sales.
Europe has been a particular area of focus for Volvo Trucks in recent years and it has invested heavily in the retail network and in the Eastern European region. The European unit of Volvo Trucks now employs almost 8,000 people.
Earlier this year, Volvo Trucks appointed Ian Mitchell as commercial truck director (MW March 29). He joined from Shell UK and reports to managing director Markku Olkinuora.
Volvo’s UK car division appointed Stuart Kerr as UK managing director at the end of last year (MW September 21, 2006).
Kerr, who was previously Volvo Cars Overseas president with responsibility for the Southern Hemisphere, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, replaced Hugh Reid.
