Volvo’s Chinese owner, Geely Holdings, is bringing back former CEO Håkan Samuelsson to lead the company through the expected years of trade chaos the Trump Admin. Is dishing up to automakers selling vehicles in the U.S.

Samuelsson, 74, replaces existing CEO Jim Rowan who had headed up Volvo since 2022.

The veteran car boss is being seen as a safe pair of hands to handle the expected years of import-export disruption since the imposition of the 25% tariffs to be imposed on imported vehicles by President Trump.

Volvo began production in 2018 in Berkeley County, South Carolina, and currently manufactures models such as the Volvo S60 sedan and the upcoming Volvo EX90 SUV. Geely’s Polestar brand is manufacturing the Polestar 3 at the plant as well. Being a Chinese company, Geely’s operation of the plant is expected to draw extra scrutiny in coming months because of the mounting trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

Samuelsson served on the Volvo Cars Board from 2010 and as CEO from 2012 to 2022. He was credited for the early promotion of battery-electric vehicles for the Swedish brand with the launch of the C40 Recharge.

However, he was also a realist and told TU-Automotive in November 2021 that BEVs could only claim ‘green’ climate credentials when they are exclusively fed by electricity from sustainable sources and not dependent on fossil fuel made energy.

Samuelsson said then: “We made a conscious strategic decision to become a fully electric car maker and an industry leader but we can’t make the transition to climate neutrality alone. We need governments and energy firms around the globe to step up their investments in clean energy capacity and related charging infrastructure, so fully electric cars can truly fulfil their promise of cleaner mobility.” Subsequently, he served as chairperson of Geely-Volvo owned EV automaker Polestar until 2024.

In a company statement, Volvo says the sudden change of leadership responds to “fast-moving technological shifts, growing geopolitical complexity, and intensifying competition across regions” and now needs a brand leader “with deep industrial experience, deep knowledge of our group, and a proven ability to execute in challenging environments”.

Samuelsson will serve a two-year term while the group prepares to appoint a long-term successor, Volvo says.

In a statement, Samuelsson says: “The car industry is under pressure from many directions. I’m honored to return at such a defining moment for Volvo Cars. I have deep respect for the challenges ahead and look forward to working with our talented team to sharpen our competitiveness, meet the demands of key markets, and accelerate strategic execution and focus on leadership development.”