Thomas Ingenlath has returned to his previous role as chief designer at Volvo, nine years after leaving the Swedish brand to run its EV sibling Polestar.
Ingenlath originally became Volvo’s lead designer in 2012, and in his five-year tenure in that role was responsible for a complete stylistic overhaul that defined the look of crucial models including the XC90, V90 and XC40.
He also designed the future-looking 40.2 concept which would go on to become the Polestar 2, and in 2017 was named the CEO of that fledgling EV brand ahead of it being hived off from Volvo and operated as a standalone brand in its own right.
He managed Polestar – and continued to play an influential role in its design strategy – for seven years, expanding the portfolio with the introduction of the 3 SUV and 4 crossover, and strengthening the brand’s global retail footing with commercial launches in 27 markets.
After leaving Polestar, he was named a design advisor for the wider Geely group, but is now returning to Volvo to lead the design of its next-generation line-up, following the departure of previous design chief Jeremy Offer.
Volvo says Ingenlath’s appointment as chief design officer (his previous title was senior vice president of design) “marks the return of one of the most influential designers in the company’s recent history and reinforces Volvo Cars’ leadership in design”.
Notably, he will once again work alongside Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson, who was at the helm for Ingenlath’s initial tenure as design boss before stepping down in 2022 – but who has also recently reprised his former role – though only on a two-year term.
Ingenlath will be tasked with shaping Volvo’s future beyond its current line-up (largely designed by him in his previous stint at the firm), but with each of its models having only recently been renewed or updated – and the best-selling XC60 shortly to be replaced – he will likely be looking well into the future initially.
He said: “I am delighted to be returning to Volvo Cars. Design is fundamental to what Volvo stands for. I look forward to working closely with the teams across the company, developing cars that are distinct, relevant and true to the Volvo brand.”
