Volvo Cars has appointed Alexander Petrofski as its new Chief Technology Officer, replacing Anders Bell as the Swedish automaker reshapes its leadership structure amid changes in the global automotive industry. Petrofski has worked at Volvo Cars since 2005 and most recently oversaw the company’s smaller vehicle portfolio, including the electric EX30 and EX40.
Petrofski Takes Over Technology Leadership
Petrofski joins Volvo Cars’ Executive Management Team as CTO after serving as Senior Vice President for Small Cars. In that position, he was responsible for product development, programmes, volumes, marketing, quality, investments, costs and profitability for the EX30, EX40, EC40 and XC40.
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His more than two decades at Volvo Cars include roles across different areas of the company. Before joining Volvo Cars in 2005, Petrofski studied at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg.
Volvo Cars said the leadership changes are intended to strengthen its organisation as the automotive industry becomes increasingly regionalised and technology and customer expectations continue to evolve.
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Bell, who has served as Volvo Cars’ CTO and returned to the company in December 2022 after six years at Tesla, will move into a newly created strategic startup initiative.
His new role will focus on identifying opportunities to scale platform and digital technologies developed within Volvo Cars. Bell will report directly to CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
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Samuelsson credited Bell with advancing the company’s technology and software capabilities during his tenure.
“I would first like to thank Anders for his significant contributions over the past few years,” said Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars. “Anders has played a pivotal part in advancing our technology and software to a frontrunner position, as seen by the successful EX60. We are now entering a new phase based on this strong technological foundation laid for our upcoming models. I am therefore pleased to welcome Alexander Petrofski to the EMT as our new Chief Technology Officer, leading us into this new phase.”
Volvo Cars did not provide additional details on the specific reasons behind Petrofski’s appointment.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Leadership Changes
The company is also changing its leadership responsibilities for manufacturing and procurement.
Magnus Nilsson, currently plant manager at Volvo Cars’ facility in Ghent, Belgium, will join the Executive Management Team as Chief Manufacturing Officer. He will oversee production and manufacturing engineering.
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Francesca Gamboni will take on a greater focus on procurement and supply chain activities.
The appointments come as Volvo Cars continues to adjust its organisation around vehicle technology, software, manufacturing and supply chain operations in a rapidly changing automotive market.
