Volvo CEO: Advanced Logistics Key to a Better Future
“The more advanced the logistics, the higher the GDP,” Volvo Group’s CEO Martin Lundstedt declared during his CES 2025 keynote. His message was clear: transforming logistics is essential to fostering a prosperous and sustainable future for the global economy.
Lundstedt spoke Wednesday morning in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian in Las Vegas. As one of five chosen keynote speakers at CES 2025, he underscored the critical connection between logistics innovation and economic growth.
“The more advanced the logistics, the higher the GDP per capita. It’s a straight line,” he said, highlighting how efficient logistics systems drive wealth and development.
He framed logistics as the foundation of modern life and a key enabler of thriving societies.
“Transport and logistics are not just about moving goods—they are the lifeblood of society, driving prosperity and enriching lives in countless ways. Without logistics, hospitals would lack medical supplies, grocery stores would be empty, and waste would pile up in our neighborhoods. It’s what keeps society running.”
Lundstedt pointed to trends like urbanization, e-commerce, and mass customization as factors driving growing demand for logistics.
“Freight volumes are expected to grow fivefold between 2010 and 2050. With this growth comes incredible opportunities, but also challenges such as climate impact, congestion, and pollution.”
Volvo’s solution? Transforming logistics and transport through innovation and collaboration.
“This transformation will turn red side effects into green opportunities,” Lundstedt said, referring to the shift toward fossil-free, efficient systems.
Volvo has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 to meet these challenges and is already leading the way.
“We’ve launched battery-powered trucks, buses, and construction equipment across Europe, North America, and other regions. In North America, we hold half of the e-truck market, and in Europe, an impressive 70%,” Lundstedt said.
However, he emphasized that advanced logistics require more than technology—it demands robust infrastructure and clean energy.
“In Europe, we need 40,000 fast-charging stations for heavy vehicles by 2030, but today we only have 500. Infrastructure, grid modernization, and institutional reforms must accelerate to support the green transition.”
Clean energy, he added, is another cornerstone of the transformation.
“Green energy production needs to increase, and it must be predictable. Currently, clean energy, when available, is the lowest-cost energy source. That’s why Volvo has secured long-term renewable contracts, including with Vattenfall in Sweden, for all our operations.”
Volvo’s vision for the future also hinges on collaboration.
“Partnership is truly the new leadership. No single company can do this alone. We need big companies, startups, governments, and the private sector working together to build advanced value chains that benefit everyone,” Lundstedt emphasized at the end of his keynote.
About Volvo Group
The Volvo Group drives prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing, and services that increase our customer’s uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs over 100,000 people, and serves customers in almost 190 markets. In 2023, net sales amounted to SEK 553 billion (EUR 48 billion). Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.