Volvo Car UK has appointed brand veteran Kristian Elvefors as its new managing director ahead of Jon Wakefield’s to new role in Sweden.

Wakefield, who has spent three years as Volvo’s UK managing director – following three years as sales director – will move to Sweden to become the managing director of the manufacturer’s home territory on June 1, the brand said in a statement published this morning (March 29).

In his new role Wakefield will also work closely with newly-appointed senior vice-president of global commercial operations, Bjorn Anwall, in the integration and management of Volvo across the EMEA region.

Wakefield’s replacement, Kristian Elvefors, a veteran of 16 years at Volvo in Sweden, has led the brand's Swedish operations since 2015 and will bring “huge Volvo experience to the UK market”, the brand said.

Wakefield leaves Volvo Car UK having overseen a period in which new car volumes grew from 32,000 in 2013 towards the ambition of 60,000 in 2019.

Already this year, the brand has delivered two of the best sales months in the UK for more than a quarter of a century, and is currently on course to deliver new car registrations in the first quarter in excess of 16,000, with a 2% market share.

Wakefield said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Volvo Car UK, where we've achieved so much in recent years.

“We've moved the business forward considerably for all Volvo partners, and I'm hugely grateful for the combined efforts of the great team here at Volvo Car UK, the strong retailer network and our suppliers in making these results happen.

“However, the chance to lead Volvo in its domestic market at this stage of our transition and shape the future of EMEA is a great one.

“It's a huge opportunity that I couldn't refuse, and I'm looking forward to it with relish."

The Swedish market is the largest for Volvo outside of China and the USA.

In its statement, the brand said that the country will be the source of much attention within the company as the transition of the Volvo brand continues, along with the integration of other Geely brands, Polestar and Lynk & Co, into the Volvo infrastructure.