Volvo appoints new head for Chinese operations

Following the passing of Swedish manufacturer Volvo under Chinese management, the carmaker devised an audacious plan for its expansion on what is today the fastest growing automotive market in the world.

To handle Volvo's Chinese ambitions, the company's CEO, former Volkswagen executive Stefan Jacoby, announced the appointment of Freeman Shen as senior vice president for Volvo Cars' China operations.

Freeman Shen has been the head of Fiat Powertrain Technologies' Chinese unit in between 2007 and 2009, when he joined Volvo's current owner, Geely. He holds a Master's degrees in engineering and business administration from unnamed US universities and also worked for BorgWarner.

"We are currently in a very important and exciting period for Volvo Cars," said Stefan Jacoby. "It's essential to extend the executive management team in order to speed up the decision making process and to make well-founded business decisions."

“This will ensure that everyone is focused on the key issues and it will increase necessary transparency."

Freeman Shen will be replacing Steven Armstrong, the former COO, who will be pulled back to Ford of Europe.

Geely took over Volvo this August, after paying $1.3 billion in cash. As soon as the deal was completed, the Chinese group announced the new leadership of its new unit, with Li Shufu, chairman of the board for Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, assuming the role of chairman for Volvo.

In China, according to unconfirmed info, Volvo plans to build three facilities, in Shanghai's Jiading area, Daqing and Chengdu. Geely is said to be planning the future Volvo lineup using two platforms, a large and a mid-sized one.