[News-Oxcart Network]
From BlackBerry, Dyson, to Ember Technology (a manufacturer of smart temperature control cups) in the United States, rich experience in consumer electronic products and globalization, cross-border executive Rowan may open up a new situation for Volvo Cars' digital transformation.
On January 4, Volvo Cars said in a statement that Jim Rowan, 56, would replace 70-year-old Hakan Samuelsson as its new CEO on March 21.
Samuelson joined Volvo Cars' board in 2010 as CEO of the company for nearly 10 years, and his contract expires in 2022. It is reported that Samuelson will continue to serve as chairman of Polestar to complete the company's listing process.
In a statement, Rowan said: "I am delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an exciting time for the company, at a time of industry transformation. Volvo Cars' proven track record in innovation, safety and quality, combined with world-class talent and inspiring sustainability and technological capabilities, puts it at the forefront of the road ahead."
Rowan served as BlackBerry's chief operating officer from 2007 to 2012, during which time the company's revenue increased from $5 billion to $20 billion.
After that, Rowan served as Dyson's CHIEF Operating Officer from 2012 to 2017 and as Dyson's CEO from 2017 to 2020.
During his tenure as DYSON CEO, Rowan helped Dyson expand revenue from $1.6 billion to $7.3 billion per year, expanding the Dyson product category into beauty care and indoor air purification.
Rowan also helped create Dyson Retail to accelerate its expansion into China and other asian markets.
It is worth noting that in 2017, Dyson also tried to develop electric vehicles, and even invested 4.2 billion yuan in this regard, which was terminated because it was not commercially viable.
Rowan joined Ember Technologies in February 2021 and currently serves as CEO of the Consumer Division. Ember Technology is the world's no. 1 manufacturer of smart temperature control cups.
From the perspective of personal resume, Rowan is good at expanding global business and supply chains, especially understanding of electronic consumer products, and has gone through the stage of Dyson car manufacturing.
As can be seen from Volvo Cars' official statement: Rowan's global experience in digitalization, disruption, innovation, engineering and supply chain will be very helpful for us to achieve our strategic ambitions.
Rowan will be tasked with leading Volvo Cars to achieve its goal of making pure electric vehicles account for half of its global sales by around 2025; becoming a pure electric vehicle brand by 2030; and becoming a climate zero-load benchmark by 2040, with all pure electric models sold only online.
According to the current electrification process, Volvo Cars has now formed a complete electrification product layout including pure electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid models.
As the first pure electric version of the Volvo XC40 launched by it, it sets an example for becoming a 100% pure electric car company by 2030, and also opens up An innovative direct sales model for Volvo Cars in the Chinese market.
At the same time, Volvo is already working on transforming its factories in Taizhou, China, and Ghent, Belgium, into a base specializing in the production of pure electric models, with an annual output of more than 150,000 vehicles.
And in the future, Volvo will also use the partnership with Geely Group to launch the first model based on the SEA architecture, or a new entry model for the long-rumored Volvo C20.
"Volvo Cars is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, which is why we want to bring in people with global CEO experience from outside the automotive industry, Rowan is the right person to accelerate Volvo Cars into the future," said Li Shufu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Volvo Cars.
In his statement, Samuelson said: "I am delighted to welcome Rowan to his new role and to continue the great journey of Volvo Cars. I would also like to thank all Volvo Cars employees for the tremendous progress they have made together over the past 10 years, not only making Volvo one of the fastest-growing and most trusted premium car brands, but also for always pursuing innovation and leadership. ”
epilogue
For Rowan, joining Volvo Cars at this time is both an opportunity and a challenge, and for Volvo, rowan, who chose "crossover", is also an important step to accelerate its electrification transformation.