Gothenburg - driving progress towards smart and sustainable mobility

For more than a decade our investment advisor Joel Görsch has been spreading word of the good things happening in Gothenburg, and supporting companies who want to invest in our automotive and mobility sector. Apex.AI, Luminar, Understand AI and CEVT [now Zeekr Technology Europe] are just a few of the companies he has assisted to facilitate their investments in the region.

“Gothenburg is the city where Volvo was born, nearly 100 years ago. So, we’ve long been an automotive city. Today, we are one of Europe’s top mobility clusters and a world-class innovation hub. We are particularly strong when it comes to electromobility, connectivity and safety,” says Joel. 

Volvo Cars and the Volvo Group, Sweden’s two largest companies by turnover, remain driving forces in Gothenburg’s automotive and mobility sector. Together they employ nearly 30,000 people in the region. 

But the sector has grown and become more diversified. Progressive premium car brands Polestar, Zeekr and Lynk & Co, smart transport innovator Einride, and electric plane maker Heart Aerospace all operate key sites here. 

Gothenburg is also home to many large and specialised tech, design and service companies, including Ericsson, Telia, Wireless Car, Zenseact, SKF, Autoliv, Magna, EcarX and Kognic. Furthermore, it has a strong startup scene, connected largely to smart and sustainable mobility.

“We have a culture of collaboration and a lot of interesting companies to be partnering up with. We also have a very good environment for developing new products and services, and getting them to market,” says Joel.

A hotspot for Swedish research and innovation 

The Gothenburg region offers an array of test environments, including Sweden’s testbed for electromobility SEEL; Gothenburg Green City Zone, where the city serves as a testbed for new emission-free transport solutions; and AstaZero, an independent, full-scale test environment for advanced safety systems. 

It also has open innovation environments bringing together large companies and startups, established networks, a top technology university, and a science park that hosts leading development projects within mobility and AI.

In addition, Gothenburg has a highly skilled workforce and boasts the highest concentration of engineers and natural scientists among Sweden’s metropolitan regions. 

These are just few of the reasons why global companies invest more in R&D here than anywhere else in Sweden. And why Gothenburg has become an engine for Sweden's growth and innovation. 

“We have a lot happening here and we are seeing large-scale and long-term investments being made in the region,” says Joel.  

“The Volvo Group, which is leading the transition of trucks and buses to net-zero, is expanding and modernising its campus and, among other things, is establishing a joint software company here with Daimler. Volvo Cars is investing heavily in its electrification journey and together with Steptura is also building a new 200,000-300,000 sqm mobility innovation neighbourhood beside its campus,” he adds.

These are just a few examples. The region is seeing investments in large-scale battery production and education initiatives to support the transitioning industry. According to Joel, all of this is further strengthening Sweden’s mobility sector - and attracting new talent and companies to the region.

“There’s probably no better place for any person or company who wants to play a key role in the transition to smart and sustainable mobility,” he says. 

Facts 

• The automotive and mobility sector employs over 50,000 people in the Gothenburg region
• Gothenburg is a strong ICT hub employing over 40,000 people in the region. Strengths include AI, quantum technology, software development, communication and connectivity.
• Gothenburg is an export-intensive region, accounting for 17% of Sweden’s goods exports. The majority of the region’s exported goods are vehicles and other transportation equipment.
• Gothenburg is hosting the 2025 edition of the Electric Vehicle Symposium, EVS38.   
   

Want to learn more about investing in Gothenburg’s automotive and mobility sector?

Joel and our team of investment advisors can provide you with insights, advice, practical support, and introductions to key stakeholders - to help you capture investment opportunities and elevate your business in Gothenburg. Our investment advisory services are free of charge and tailored to your needs.