An Offer they couldn't refuse: Volvo poaches Arrival's design boss

Volvo Cars has appointed Jeremy Offer as the global head of design – who previously led the design team for British electric vehicle startup Arrival.

Offer will start in May, replacing Robin Page who will become senior advisor, as the luxury carmaker transitions to only offering full EVs by 2030.

The move comes as Arrival faces financial woes, cutting its workforce in half this week and appointing a new CEO, as it recently warned that it may not have enough money to keep going beyond September this year.

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Arrival develops futuristic-looking electric commercial vehicles, including a delivery van, passenger bus, and rideshare-focused car based on ground-up EV architectures.

“[Offer] brings strong leadership and a wealth of design experience ranging from electric vehicles and industrial design to digital products and services – all key as Volvo Cars transitions into a future with safe, fully electric cars, defined by their software,” Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan said.

Volvo’s EV transition will be led by the forthcoming EX90 large three-row flagship SUV, which debuts a new design from the brand with split LED head- and tail-lights, incorporates lidar safety assistance sensors, and a slim driver instrument display.

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Arrival's latest design is focused on rideshare programs, particularly Uber

A more affordable Volvo EX30 crossover is set to follow and is expected to be a similar size to the current XC40 and C40 Recharge EVs.

The local arm will even be a step ahead by going fully electric by 2026 in Australia, with Volvo boss Jim Rowan boldly predicting price parity between EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles by 2025.