Bloomberg Talks Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson Talks Earnings
Oct 23, 2025
Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars and automotive veteran, shares insights on the company's impressive Q3 profit surge fueled by a robust cost-saving program. He discusses the strategic shifts, including increased production at the Charleston plant amidst U.S. tariff concerns, and his proactive approach to navigating legal challenges regarding U.S. operations. Håkan also opens up about what keeps him awake at night, reflecting on the confidence in a company turnaround and the vigilance required to manage supply chain risks in a volatile market.
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Profit Turnaround Driven By Cost Cuts
- Volvo's third-quarter profit improvement stems from a SEK18 billion cost-saving program rather than sales growth.
- CEO Håkan Samuelsson prioritizes restoring profitability and solid cash flow over short-term volume concerns.
Production Move Caused Temporary Sales Dip
- Sales fell because production shifted for the smallest electric car from China to Belgium, reducing output temporarily.
- Samuelsson says production has resumed and he is not too nervous about volumes returning.
Boost U.S. Production Utilization
- Increase utilization at the Charleston plant by introducing new, locally produced models rather than shifting existing European output.
- Strengthen industrial presence in the U.S. to produce closer to customers and reduce tariff exposure.