Louis Schweitzer to Become Full Time Volvo Truck Chairman

Following the resignation of Finn Johnsson last month and the appointment of Louis Schweitzer as interim chairman, an election committee for the truckmaker announced the former Renault CEO will be proposed as full time chairman.

Johnsson was supposed to stay until the manufacturer's next annual general meeting takes place on April 14 when, according to some analysts, Leif Johansson, Volvo's CEO, would have taken over as chairman as well.

"There was some speculation that Leif would take over as chairman, but this shows he would rather stay on (as CEO) and continue to turn Volvo around. So maybe this was not an appropriate time to switch," one analyst was quoted as saying by Autonews.

"Schweitzer is on the board as an independent, so this neither strengthens nor weakens that case."

Schweitzer's experience in the automotive world includes the position of President and Chairman of Renault. He is currently Chairman of Astra Zeneca and a member of the Boards of BNP Paribas, Veolia and L’Oreal. Until March this year, Chairman of the French Government’s High Authority to Fight Discrimination and to Promote Equality.

“Volvo is a company with which I have worked closely for many years. It is a great honor and a very exciting challenge to take over as Chairman of the company,” Louis Schweitzer said in mid-January, when he was appointed chairman. “On behalf of the Board I would also want to thank Finn Johnsson for his active and engaged work as chairman of Volvo.”