Who Owns Volvo?

Who owns Volvo? Volvo Cars is primarily owned by Geely Holding Group, a Chinese multinational automotive company that acquired the Swedish automaker from Ford Motor Company in 2010. 

This acquisition saved Volvo from a challenging financial situation and enabled the brand to expand its global presence and invest heavily in electric vehicle technology and autonomous driving innovations.

Shu Fu Li, the founder and chairman of Geely Holding Group, is the most prominent individual shareholder of Volvo Cars. Li Shu Fu controls 78.65% of Volvo Car AB’s total voting shares, highlighting his significant influence. Geely Holding Group acquired Volvo Cars in 2010, and under Li’s leadership, Volvo Cars went public on Nasdaq Stockholm in October 2021.

Volvo Cars has maintained a distinct presence from AB Volvo, the separate entity responsible for the truck line and commercial vehicles, which Volvo Group still retains. The Volvo and Volvo truck lines have been separate entities since 1999, when Volvo Group sold its car line to Ford for about $6.5 billion.

However, the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which currently owns the majority stake in Volvo Cars, has a 14.7% share of votes and has invested a 4.4% share of capital in the truck line to reunite them sometime in the future. 

Major institutional shareholders, such as AMF Fonder AB, Folksam AB, and Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual, hold substantial stakes in Volvo Cars. At the same time, significant institutional players like Industrivärden AB and Svenska Handelsbanken AB influence AB Volvo’s shares.

The combined efforts of Geely’s investment, Volvo’s leadership, and strategic collaborations with shareholders have cemented Volvo’s position as a leader in the premium automotive market.

Top Volvo Individual Shareholder

Shu Fu Li

As the founder and chairman of Geely Holding Group, Shu Fu Li is the most notable individual associated with both Volvo Cars and AB Volvo.

In 1997, Li Shu Fu founded Geely Auto, marking his entry into the automotive industry. Despite initial skepticism about a private Chinese company manufacturing cars, Li’s persistence and innovative approach led Geely to become China’s first privately owned automaker.

On 28 March 2010, under Li Shu Fu’s leadership, Geely signed a deal worth US$1.8 billion to buy Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo Cars from American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company.

Volvo Cars became publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm on October 29, 2021, welcoming over two hundred thousand new shareholders as it embarked on this new chapter. Despite the public listing, most voting shares remain with Shu Fu Li, ensuring that Geely Holding Group retains control of the company.

According to MarketScreener, Shu Fu Li owns 2,343,396,227 shares and consequently controls 78.65% of Volvo Car AB’s total voting shares, making him the dominant force behind the company. This significant stake underscores his influence over the strategic direction of the iconic Swedish automaker.

AB Volvo’s shares are divided into Class A and Class B shares, with Class A shares carrying voting rights and Class B shares carrying zero voting rights. 

Again, Shu Fu Li holds a substantial portion of AB Volvo’s Class A and Class B shares. As of the latest data, Shu Fu Li owns 88,474,625 Class A shares, representing 19.88% of this class. His stake in AB Volvo Class A is valued at approximately 2.297 billion Swedish kronor. Shu Fu Li also holds 49,465,849 Class B shares, representing 3.1144% of the shares in that class.

Shu Fu Li’s ownership of nearly 20% of the Class A shares gives him, and by extension, Geely Holding Group, a significant influence over the company. This contributes to his role as a critical player in AB Volvo’s strategic decisions. His investment in AB Volvo underscores Geely Holding Group’s commitment to strengthening its position within the global automotive and industrial sectors.

Top Volvo Cars Institutional Shareholders

AMF Fonder AB

AMF Fonder AB is a well-established investment firm with a long-standing presence in the financial industry. Known for its commitment to delivering outstanding financial solutions and services, AMF Fonder AB focuses on providing value-oriented investments to meet its clients’ financial objectives. With a diverse portfolio of assets, AMF Founder AB aims to achieve cost-effective solutions through mutual funds and other investment vehicles.

AMF Fonder AB is a significant institutional shareholder of Volvo Cars, owning 107 million shares valued at 305 million kronor ($29.8 million), which accounts for 3.612% of the company’s equity.

Folksam AB

Folksam AB is a significant institutional shareholder in Volvo Cars, holding approximately 2.118% of the company’s equities. With a valuation of 179 million kronor, Folksam plays a crucial role in Volvo Cars’ ownership structure.

Folksam is a private equity firm that focuses on strategic investments in various industries. Its investment in Volvo Cars demonstrates confidence in the company’s growth potential and long-term prospects. With a significant stake in the company, Folksam influences Volvo Cars’ decision-making processes and corporate governance.

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual is a reputable and established financial institution that provides pension insurance solutions. Known for its long-term, value-oriented investment approach, Alecta combines expertise and experience to safeguard the economic well-being of its clients. With a portfolio spanning various industries and sectors, Alecta seeks to generate sustainable returns while managing risks effectively.

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual owns approximately 29 million shares valued at around 84 million kronor, representing 0.9951% of the company’s outstanding shares.

Top AB Volvo Class A Institutional Shareholders

Industrivärden AB

Industrivärden AB, an investment company, is one of the significant shareholders of AB Volvo Group, owning 37.44% of the company’s Class A equities, valued at 4.324 billion kronor ($423 million) With its significant ownership stake, Industrivärden AB plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and governance of Volvo Cars.

With a 37.44% ownership stake, equating to 166.6 million shares, Industrivärden AB holds a substantial position in the company. This ownership alone highlights the level of confidence and trust that Industrivärden AB has in Volvo.

Industrivärden AB is an investment company known for its strategic holdings in various industries. Its ownership of Volvo demonstrates its belief in the automotive industry’s long-term prospects and growth potential. With its significant ownership stake, it has a vested interest in Volvo’s success and is likely actively involved in monitoring the company’s performance and decision-making processes.

AMF Fonder AB

AMF Fonder AB holds 28.5 million Volvo AB Class A shares, representing approximately 6.405% of the total shares outstanding. AMF Fonder AB is a respected investment company that focuses on delivering financial solutions and services to its clients. With its 6.405% stake in Volvo, AMF Fonder AB plays a significant role in its ownership structure.

AMF also holds a 44 million-share stake in AB Volvo Class B stock.

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual is another major institutional shareholder of Volvo AB Class A shares. With 20.98 million shares, representing 4.715% of total shares outstanding, Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual holds a significant stake in the company.

Alecta also holds 33.28 million AB Volvo Class-B shares.

Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual is a renowned pension insurance company, renowned for its long-standing expertise in the investment industry. With a commitment to securing financial futures for its clients, Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual manages a substantial portfolio of assets, including equities and bonds.

As a major institutional investor, Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and governance of Volvo. Through its direct engagement with the company, Alecta Pension Insurance Mutual aims to safeguard the interests of its clients and shareholders.

Top AB Volvo Class B Institutional Shareholders

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (SHB)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (SHB) is a notable institutional shareholder of Volvo AB Class B shares which has no voting rights. With a stake comprising 3.039% of the total equities, Svenska Handelsbanken AB holds a valuation of 1.231 billion kronor ($120.4 million). The institution has a significant presence in the financial industry and is committed to delivering outstanding financial solutions and services. 

Svenska Handelsbanken AB’s investment in Volvo AB Class B reflects their strategic approach to diversifying their portfolio and seizing opportunities in the automotive sector. 

Norges Bank Investment Management

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) is another noteworthy institutional shareholder of Volvo AB Class B, holding approximately 2.584% of the equities with a valuation of 1.047 billion kronor ($102 million).

As the central bank of Norway’s asset management unit, NBIM plays a pivotal role in managing the Government Pension Fund Global. With a focus on responsible and sustainable investment practices, Norges Bank Investment Management actively engages with companies in their portfolio, including Volvo AB Class B, to promote ethical business practices and long-term value creation.

Conclusion

The Volvo name is jointly owned and shared by Volvo Cars and Volvo Group. The ownership of Volvo is characterized by a blend of individual and institutional stakeholders. Shu Fu Li’s substantial shareholding in Volvo through Geely Holding Group underscores his pivotal role in guiding the company’s strategic direction, even as it operates within a public framework.

The presence of major institutional investors further reflects confidence in Volvo’s growth potential and stability. Meanwhile, Volvo’s diverse ownership base, which includes significant Class A and Class B institutional investors, highlights the broad support and investment in its industrial and automotive segments.

This complex ownership structure demonstrates the company’s strong financial backing and ensures a balanced governance approach, supporting Volvo’s continued innovation and market presence.