Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo Cars as head designer

Core Viewpoint - Volvo Cars has announced the return of Thomas Ingenlath as chief designer, effective February 1, 2026, marking the conclusion of a search for a new head of design that has been ongoing for several months [1][2]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Nicholas Gronenthal has been serving as the interim head of global design since Jeremy Offer's departure in July 2025; Ingenlath will take over his duties while Gronenthal transitions to lead the design for the Americas unit [2]. - Ingenlath's return is seen as a reinforcement of Volvo Cars' leadership in design, highlighting his influential role in the company's recent history [2]. Group 2: Ingenlath's Background - Ingenlath previously held a lead design role at Geely, Volvo's parent company, and will re-establish his relationship with Håkan Samuelsson, who was CEO during Ingenlath's first tenure [3]. - He has a strong background in automotive design, having graduated from London's Royal College of Art and previously worked with Volkswagen Group, where he defined Skoda's design identity and contributed to various concept cars [4][5]. Group 3: Design Philosophy - As chief design officer, Ingenlath will join the executive management team and lead Volvo Cars' global design organization, emphasizing that design is fundamental to the brand's identity [4]. - Samuelsson stated that design is one of Volvo Cars' greatest strengths and will continue to differentiate the company in the premium electric mobility sector, with Ingenlath's experience expected to enhance their design leadership [8].