Volvo Cars is seeking to bolster its flagging sales by resurrecting the role of chief commercial officer with the appointment of a long-time staffer, Erik Severinson, to the job that has been vacant for nearly a year.
Severinson’s mission as CCO will be to fill gaps in the automaker’s product line up and improve sales of its battery-electric vehicles in both the European and Chinese markets, the automaker announced on Aug. 14.
And top of that list will be handling the launch of Volvo’s forthcoming EX60 mid-size BEV in Europe in the hope of avoiding issues that plagued the launch of its bigger sibling, the EX90. That model saw delivery delays owing to software issues.
Severinson, who takes on the role with immediate effect, has been with Volvo since 2008 and has worked in several business areas in the company, from head of finance for research and development, to being responsible for all central and industrial functions, then to controlling function and financial steering of the company.
He also oversaw the industrial strategy leading Volvo’s electrification program as well as production, purchasing, supply chain, quality and sales and production planning culminating in the role of head of strategy and new cars. His most recent position was as chief product and strategy officer.
His new post will include managing a larger team to support a review of the automaker’s product offerings and powertrain options for consumers, Volvo said in a statement.
The CCO appointment will also see the return of Michael Fleiss from the Horse Powertrain, a joint venture between Geely and Renault to take on Severinson’s former role of chief product and strategy officer.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Erik to this new role, and to welcome Michael back to Volvo Cars,” CEO Håkan Samuelsson said in a statement. “The changes we are doing will strengthen Volvo Cars at this pivotal moment for the company and the industry.”
