Karlsten to Head Volvo’s Global Powertrain Unit

Peter Karlsten, the head of Volvo Trucks North America, has been appointed president of Volvo Powertrain, a unit of the Sweden-based Volvo AB, the company said Thursday.

Karlsten will also become senior vice president of technology for the Volvo Group and a new member of the group’s Executive Committee, Volvo said. He will assume his new position on Dec. 1.

Karlsten will succeed Lars-Göran Moberg, who is retiring. Volvo has not yet named a replacement for Karlsten.

“Peter Karlsten has many years of international experience in manufacturing and marketing,” Leif Johansson, Volvo’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “I am convinced he will contribute strongly in helping to develop and carry out the group’s international expansion and strategic development.”

Volvo Powertrain is responsible for the development and production of heavy engines, transmissions and driveshafts, Volvo said. In North America, it builds engines and transmissions at its plant in Hagerstown, Md.

Volvo Powertrain is the unit overseeing Volvo’s turn toward common engine platforms that fulfill environmental requirements, Volvo stated on its Web site.

Karlsten has been head of Volvo’s North American truck operations since 2003, based in Greensboro, N.C. He previously worked as head of Volvo Trucks in Brazil.