WASHINGTON, D.C. — To better support and complement business development and communications efforts of the Volvo Group’s North American operations, the company plans a presence here by Dec. 1.

The Washington office will be part of Volvo Group North America and will be responsible for a number of duties.

— detection and pursuit of business opportunities for Volvo Group companies within the federal government and other Washington-based institutions;

— intelligence-gathering and reporting systems to monitor government and regulatory developments in Washington of vital interest to the Volvo Group;

— and, development and communication of Volvo’s position on matters of public policy.

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.

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.