Thomas Ingenlath Returns to Volvo as Chief Design Officer

Thomas Ingenlath is back at Volvo as Chief Design Officer, a role he held from 2012 to 2017 before becoming CEO of Polestar. He has an impressive background, having studied at the Royal College of Art and worked with VW Group, notably at Audi, Volkswagen, and Skoda. After leaving Polestar in 2024, he took a non-executive position at Geely, which gave him time to think. Volvo's CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, convinced him to return, aiming to blend the company’s legacy with fresh ideas as it gears up for its 100th anniversary in 2027. Ingenlath criticizes the industry's hasty shift to electric and wants to reintroduce physical controls. He envisions designs that evoke joy, inspired by the vibrant colors of past models. He stresses that Volvo’s core focus is human-centric rather than just technology. As Volvo looks ahead, it currently offers models like the EX30, EX40, EC40, EX90, ES90, and the new EX60.