Interview: Thomas McIntyre Schultz
Volvo has lengthy been recognized for constructing secure automobiles with progressive engineering. Ask just about anybody who has owned one, and they’re going to let you know the boldness they get from driving a secure, well-built automobile was a significant purpose for his or her resolution to go along with Volvo.
This yr (2025) is the seventieth yr Volvo has been promoting automobiles in america. Its status on security hasn’t modified, however now extends to providing all kinds of automobiles and SUVs, all with distinctive Scandinavian design, regardless that the corporate is now a part of the Geely Holding Group of Hangzhou, China, after a stint as a part of Ford Motor Firm.
Volvo just lately invited automotive journalists to tour its former design house in Camarillo, California, that was specifically set-up as a walk-through of Volvo’s U.S. historical past. On show had been pristine Volvo fashions type the previous a number of many years, together with some that may very well be pushed. The star (for me!) of those was the P1800 with its Italian design that hit American shores in 1961. This traditional coupe went by title adjustments of P1800, 1800S and 1800E, however at all times retained its lengthy hood and fastback roof that gave it a head-turning design, then and now.
Among the different historic automobiles included the primary to reach on American shores of the PV444 Coupe (1955); 122S Amazon Sedan (1956); 145E Wagon (1967); 245 GTL Turbo Wagon (1974); 850 T-5R Wagon (1985); 850 T-5R Sedan (1991); V70 XC Wagon (1997); C70 Coupe Cabriolet (2006); S60 Sedan (2007) and two efficiency wagons—the V60 Polestar (2010) and the V60 Polestar Engineered (2023).
To get perception into the place Volvo has been and the place they’re going, Clear Fleet Report sat down with Thomas McIntyre Schultz, product and know-how communications, Volvo Automobile USA. Should you aren’t acquainted with Volvo, this was an interesting dialog.
Clear Fleet Report: Are you able to give a fast overview of Volvo promoting cars in america for the previous 70 years?
Thomas McIntyre Schultz, Volvo: For the final 70 years I feel two issues have been true about Volvo which existed concurrently. One is what has modified over the previous 70 years is how we continually adapt to our clients wants and desires. Whether or not this be utility or electrification, our model stands for security, sturdiness and placing individuals on the heart of every little thing we do.
What we provide has modified in phrases by how it’s fueled and the automobile styles and sizes, however what you get from Volvo has been very constant.
CFR: Is america your largest single market?
Volvo: I would want to get you the newest information however it’s at all times between Sweden, america and China.
CFR: The inhabitants of Sweden is about the identical as New Jersey (Ed: The place Volvo has its U.S. headquarters), so america should be promoting extra autos.
Volvo: Sweden has 10 million individuals, however one out of each 5 automobiles offered there’s a Volvo versus the U.S. has 320 million individuals and one out of each 200 automobiles offered is a Volvo. So, that’s the place you get the competitiveness available on the market sizes.
CFR: When your designers are trying 5 years forward, does the U.S. purchaser with our bodily physique measurement, driving patterns and life-style come into play when designing a brand new mannequin, and does that bleed over to the remainder of the world?
Volvo: I can’t provide you with specifics, however can say broadly, sure, however that’s true for each market all over the world. We’re a worldwide firm that builds international merchandise. An instance is the 2026 EX90 that has to go well with U.S. clients, European clients, Japanese clients and Chinese language clients, so we have to incorporate a stability for everybody’s wants. In fact you will notice some variations in what’s well-liked in every market. You will notice some a desire for bigger automobiles being well-liked within the U.S. than in Sweden or Japan, the place the roads are a lot smaller. We have a look at what persons are saying they need and business tendencies, however it’s at all times about how individuals use their automobiles.
However we don’t construct particularly for one market or one other.
CFR: The Chinese language vehicle producer Geely acquired Volvo in 2010. How does its involvement have an effect on the corporate?
Volvo: I wish to begin with a quote that our CEO (Håkan Samuelsson) gave just lately saying: “We’re as Swedish as meatballs.” That may be a good technique to put it. I’ve been with Volvo for 10 years, and Volvo is Swedish by and thru and are publicly listed in Stockholm. Our majority shareholder is Geely, however in terms of product for what is correct for Volvo that’s all taking place in Sweden. All of our engineering is finished in Sweden and our design heart is there too. We’re an extremely Swedish firm.
The place the collaboration with Geely is available in, remembering we’re a really, very small firm within the international automotive panorama, is the place we are able to discover synergies in buying utilizing the leverage of Geely as a a lot bigger automotive group to seek out financial savings.
CFR: Let’s discuss manufacturing for a worldwide model.
Volvo: Our long-term ambition we have now been working in direction of for a few years now’s to construct automobiles the place we promote them. For this reason we have now manufacturing websites in Europe, the U.S., China and, in fact, our largest is in Sweden. Each automobile offered in Europe is inbuilt Europe, both Belgium or Sweden, or the U.S. in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Vehicles offered in China are constructed at our Chinese language manufacturing unit. The place automobiles from these factories are exported is to nations the place it is smart to take action. An instance is the EX90 is constructed within the U.S. and exported to Europe.
CFR: Volvo presently presents fashions propelled by gentle hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electrical energy, all in SUVs and one station wagon. Are you set in your product combine, or are there new classes equivalent to a truck, van, , station wagon, convertible, sedan or coupe on the drafting board?
Volvo: We’re fairly pleased with the product combine we have now. Areas we pursue are segments which might be massive, as a result of as a small firm we do not need the sources to be growing different merchandise, so we give attention to our core merchandise and make them improbable. We then search for segments that align with our values of safety of individuals, defending the planet and making automobiles which might be secure, sensible, snug and opulent for households. We construct automobiles for those that worth these issues, so these are the segments we wish to pursue.
CFR: What’s going to the XC30 EV with the one motor do for Volvo?
Volvo: Crucial factor is it offers individuals a brand new entry level to our model. The XC30 EV Single Motor, within the Plus configuration, is now essentially the most reasonably priced Volvo. For lot of individuals their first Volvo expertise might be in a completely electrical SUV. That is the place our future goes. That is necessary for us {that a} house beforehand occupied by a gasoline sedan is now a completely electrical SUV.
CFR: In closing, when getting up within the morning, what excites you about Volvo?
Volvo: I’m actually enthusiastic about the way forward for this firm. Whereas I can’t communicate intimately about future product, I’ve seen a few of it and am enthusiastic about what I’ve seen. The following new mannequin for us is the EX60 popping out on January 21 (2026) as I feel it’ll change lots of people’s perceptions of Volvo due to what it could possibly do. The EX60 (Ed be aware: this can be a battery electrical compact luxurious crossover/SUV) might be big for our model.
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Story by John Faulkner. Pictures by John Faulkner and Volvo.
Clear Fleet Report‘s current Volvo street checks:
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