LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT
LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT
“ RETHINKING OUR MODES OF OPERATION TO MINIMISE OUR FOOTPRINT IS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING THE PREREQUISITES OF US DOING BUSINESS ”
Volvo introduced a series of critically acclaimed models , including the Volvo XC90 , S90 , and V90 .
He played a vital role in shifting the brand ’ s identity towards sustainability and aligning it with the evolving trends in the automotive industry .
POLESTAR : A NEW ERA
In 2017 , Thomas was appointed CEO of Polestar , a performance electric car brand jointly owned by Volvo Car Group and its parent company , Geely . Under his leadership , Polestar , originally the performance division of Volvo , was rebranded to focus exclusively on EVs . The significant shift in his career from design to executive leadership demonstrated his versatility and vision . His strategic decision to reposition Polestar as an EV brand was a bold move that has since been validated by the success of Polestar 1 and 2 .
Thomas ’ s leadership at Polestar has been described as disruptive . His response : “ We didn ’ t start asking how we could be the disruptor ; we asked how a modern car company could work beyond technical innovation . If what we are doing means disrupting the industry , then fair enough , but it was never our intention .”
Thomas led the launch of the Polestar 1 , a plug-in hybrid luxury sports coupe , and the Polestar 2 , the company ’ s first fully electric vehicle . The Polestar 2 , in particular , has been praised for its design , performance , and technological innovation , establishing Polestar as a serious contender in the EV market . Emphasising the need for sustainable practices in the automotive industry , Thomas states , “ Rethinking our modes of operation to minimise our footprint is fundamentally changing the prerequisites of us doing business .”
This approach underscores Polestar ’ s commitment to integrating innovative solutions that reduce the environmental impact throughout a vehicle ’ s lifecycle
22 [ July 2024 ] EVMAGAZINE . COM