► Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo design
► Ingenlath was former design chief and Polestar CEO
► Appointment ‘reinforces Volvo’s leadership in design’
Thomas Ingenlath, former design chief at Volvo and Polestar CEO has returned to Volvo as, er… design chief.
Volvo says Ingenlath’s return ‘reinforces Volvo Cars’ global design organisation across the product portfolio.’ Ingenlath will start his new role as Chief Design Officer at Volvo Cars on 1 February 2026.
Ingenlath was formerly Senior Vice President Design at Volvo, where he and the design team worked on the second-generation XC90, S90 and V90 – as well as the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. That era of Volvo design is considered a real high in the company’s history.
Then Polestar was span out into its own separate brand, where Ingenlath took up the reins as its inaugural CEO. After resigning his Polestar CEO post in the summer of 2024, he was made a design advisor within the wider Geely Group in July 2025.
‘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,’ says Ingenlath in a statement.
Ingenlath’s appointment comes not long after the announcement that Håkan Samuelsson would return as the brand’s CEO. Samuelsson worked very closely with Ingenlath and the pair brought in that renaissance era of Volvo from 2015. It almost seems like the brand is keen to get back to those glory days after a tumultuous period that’s largely stemmed from the software issues plaguing the EX30 crossover and the botched launch of the EX90.
‘Thomas Ingenlath will strengthen our design leadership with his proven experience and vision, ensuring we continue to design cars that reflect our values and resonate with customers around the world,’ says Samuelsson in the statement on Ingenlath’s appointment.
Jake has been an automotive journalist since 2015, joining CAR as Staff Writer in 2017. With a decade of car news and reviews writing under his belt, he became CAR's Deputy News Editor in 2020 and then News Editor in 2025. Jake's day-to-day role includes co-ordinating CAR's news content across its print, digital and social media channels. When he's not out interviewing an executive, driving a new car for review or on a photoshoot for a CAR feature, he's usually found geeking out on the latest video game, buying yet another pair of wildly-coloured trainers or figuring out where he can put another car-shaped Lego set in his already-full house.
By Jake Groves
CAR's news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist
