Volvo Sweden managing director Kristian Elvefors is to assume the MD position at Volvo Car UK as current incumbent Jon Wakefield moves to Elvefors’ former role on 1 June 2019.

Volvo Car UK MD Jon Wakefield will take on the role of managing director, Volvo Sweden from 1 June 2019

Elvefors will bring huge Volvo experience to the UK market, with some 16 years spent at Volvo in Sweden including nearly four years as managing director.

Wakefield will switch to his new role after three years as managing director and three years as sales director at Volvo Car UK, during which time the brand has grown new car volumes from 32,000 in 2013 towards the ambition of 60,000 in 2019; a figure it says it’s well on track to attain.

The Swedish market is the largest for Volvo outside of China and the USA, and will be the source of much attention within the company as the transition of the Volvo brand continues, along with the integration of other Geely brands, Polestar and Lynk & Co, into the Volvo infrastructure.

Commenting on his imminent move, Wakefield said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Volvo Car UK, where we’ve achieved so much in recent years. We’ve moved the business forward considerably for all Volvo partners, and I’m hugely grateful for the combined efforts of the great team here at Volvo Car UK, the strong retailer network and our suppliers in making these results happen.

“However, the chance to lead Volvo in its domestic market at this stage of our transition and shape the future of EMEA is a great one. It’s a huge opportunity that I couldn’t refuse, and I’m looking forward to it with relish.”