Andreas Tonnqvists CV
Background
For the past 30 years, I have worked at Volvo Cars, Research & Development, in several different roles. For the last 15 years, I have been responsible for the preparatory technology development for the upcoming car models. About 2-7 years before production starts. This means that you first need to break down the company's overall goals and visions into concrete technology strategies that define the technology development required to achieve the company's goals
I have been responsible for defining, budgeting/resourceing and delivering all research and technology assignments at R&D. Normally, about 300 assignments are going on in parallel and I started up about 100 new ones per year. Budget of SEK 300 million plus about SEK 100 million that was externally financed (mainly state)
Almost all of these assignments have external collaborations with universities, research institutes, start-up companies, small companies and large suppliers around the world where the right interest, expertise and resources are available. To make this work in an efficient way and the right things are delivered at the right price and quality, you need to have an efficient work process. One of my most important tools. It is very important to continuously learn from how successful you have with your deliveries. There can be a difference of more than a factor of 10 between those who are good compared to those who are not. About half of all the assignments I have been responsible for have had sustainability/environment as a focus. Everyone has business and customer focus as a base/prerequisite. In order to have a significantly better chance of success, it is necessary to include "all" important aspects/requirements, of which the headings below are a few.
In the past, I have
- Been responsible for a number of car projects, such as the start-up of the XC90.
- Been responsible for passive and active safety (Volvo's core value)
- Ran around a hundred development projects of varying sizes.
Business development
My view is that business is the basis for all companies that act according to the market rules. Sustainability is part of the business. You have to include the business from the beginning and develop it over time. Developing the business is at least as important as developing technology. Most often, the business determines what to do and the market changes, and then also the business. It is important that all relationships with parties and suppliers are defined in a business-like manner.
Production and supply chain development
I can only agree with Elon Musk when he says, designing a car is child's play compared to creating a good and efficient production process.
There must be great respect for production and supplier development. It is expensive, complicated and resource-consuming. Circular resource utilization is important here. You can't create anything in the industry without involving production and suppliers. They are an enabler for a sustainable process and product.
Organizational development
My responsibility for developing new technology and research included creating an organization and a work process that could deliver the desired results. In many cases, this is absolutely crucial for there to be any result.
Within this responsibility, we have made annual marketing surveys of various companies to find out how others are doing and how to improve.
Other
- I have had the business and technology relationship with a number of Swedish and foreign companies (mainly in Japan, China, Europe and the USA).
- Resident in the Netherlands for 2 years
- Responsible for the "Volvo Cars Technology Award" (Volvo Cars' annual technology award)
- Patents: 10s (owned by Volvo Cars, Ford,..)