Therefore poked the much-criticized Volvo CEO – Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

Why poked Olof Persson, President of AB Volvo?

– There are several factors that interact. He has been unpopular internally and his management style is very challenged, I have several sources. But above all, he has not delivered on the great savings program as it was intended. He has very much to do here. The company will save 10 billion between 2012 and 2016 and do away with 4400 employees. To date, approximately 3,200 left and only 3.4 billion saved. He has thus 7.6 billion left in a time window shrinks breathtakingly fast – 2016 is just next year.

Meanwhile, Christer Gardell’s Cevian Capital entered hard. in the company. Not only has around 13 percent of the vote, moreover, has finally taken a seat on the board. Has it played no role in it?

– Yes, it is an important part of the change of CEO because the increased pressure further to implement the cuts and increase profit margins. It’s Christer Gardell partners Eckhard Cordes who have taken place on the board, he has a background in management positions at including Daimler. I do not know if it’s personal, but Gardell has been very critical of the Olof Persson failed to raise profit margins high enough rate. When pressed, Olof Persson in February presented the results of the 2014, operating profit at a paltry 3 percent.

Why do you think Martin Lundstedt pacifiers to become the new CEO?

– There is an interesting development that takes place in Sweden both large truck companies. Scania has become increasingly remote from Germany, especially now that Leif Ostling been poked as a unifying head of Volkswagen’s truck movement and his successor Andreas Renschler taken place. It is now the synergies will come between Scania and MAN. Scania, which has been very successful and controlled himself, becoming increasingly remote from Germany, which meant that it opened up a window for a change. Martin Lundstedt was certainly tired of all trips in Scania and his mandate has a high probability wing clipped very much. Therefore, he was prepared to go to the competitor, even though he has worked almost his entire working life in Scania.

However, Martin Lundstedt succeed?

– Now is the time for him to deliver on savings program. The important thing is that Volvo gets up profit margins and here Lundstedt a “track record” from Scania who speaks in his favor. The company has always had significantly higher profit margins than the Volvo, but if Lundstedt has the hard pegs needed, he must really show it now. But it is clear that he has a leadership style that will bring people, unlike Olof Persson.