Press releases 2005

Jan-Eric Sundgren, President of the Chalmers University of Technology, will, when the successor issue is resolved, become a member of the Volvo Group Executive Committee. His duties will include responsibility for contacts with public authorities, universities and colleges. He will also work with engineering and research matters within the Volvo Group and have Group-wide responsibility for emissions and environmental issues as well as safety.

Volvo Buses recently designed 9300 coach has been very positively received in China. As soon as it was introduced in November a customer signed a framework agreement for 100 coaches. At the same time the company received an order for a further 52 coaches from various customers.

Volvo Aero coordinates the newly started EU project, VERDI, in which 16 leading European engine manufacturers, institutes and universities collaborate on the virtual simulation of the manufacturing process.

Volvo Logistics has received an award for "Best Intermodal Practices" from the Brussels-based European Intermodal Association.

Volvo Trucks has more eco-certified company cars than any other company in Sweden. No less than 12 percent of Volvo Trucks company cars are in fact eco-friendly models. These are the results of a recent survey carried out by the MiljöRapporten magazine.

AB Volvo takes a serious view of the accusations of bribes leveled at the company in a report from the UN. "We are now investigating the matter more closely to determine what has happened," says Volvo's CEO Leif Johansson. "If it is confirmed that the accusations are valid and improper actions have occurred, we will naturally take actions."

AB Volvo subsidiary Mack Trucks, Inc., has introduced a complete new range of vehicles designed to meet the demands of both highway and construction customers, along with a new 11-liter engine that features the base architecture necessary to meet forthcoming emissions standards.

On Saturday morning, 22 October, more than 1,100 Volvo buses took to the streets of Santiago, Chile's capital. It was the first day of the Transantiago operation, the largest public urban transport system in Latin America.

In connection with the retirement of Karl-Erling Trogen on December 1, Volvo's Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer Stefan Johnsson will assume responsibility for a number of Volvo's central business units. Stefan Johnsson, who remains a member of the Group Executive Committee, will also assume responsibility for the Volvo Group's HR function from Jorma Halonen, who will be focusing on the Group's international expansion. Pär Östberg, who is currently Senior VP, Finance at Renault Trucks, has been appointed the new Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer and member of Volvo's Group Executive Committee.

The Volvo Environment Prize 2005 is awarded to two outstanding conservationists from the southern hemisphere who have made extraordinary contributions to conservation.