The Volvo Group is formalizing a presence in Washington, D.C., as of Dec. 1.

The Washington Office will be part of Volvo Group North America and will look for business opportunities for Volvo Group companies in the federal government and other Washington-based institutions. It will monitor government and regulatory developments and will develop and communicate Volvo's position on public policy issues.
Volvo's senior representative in Washington will be Bjorn Ahlstrom, who has been appointed Chairman of Volvo Group North America for a two-year term, beginning Jan. 1.
Since retiring from Volvo North America Corp., where he served as President and CEO from 1971 to 1991, Ahlstrom serves as a director of Volvo Trucks North America, Volvo Construction Equipment North America, Mack Trucks and Petro Stopping Centers, all companies within the Volvo Group. Ahlstrom will be based in the New York office of Volvo Group North America and will work out of both the New York and Washington offices.
During the start-up phase, the Washington office will be headed by Lars Bandling, presently Senior Vice President of Volvo Aero North America. Bandling, who has 13 years of experience working in Washington both within and outside of the Volvo Group, was scheduled to retire during 2001 but has agreed to remain in the Volvo Group through June 2002 as Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Volvo Group North America, Inc.
Working alongside Bandling will be Thomas Clifford, presently Vice President, Corporate Communications of Volvo Group North America. Clifford will take over full responsibility for the office when Bandling retires.