COMMENT: Activist investors shine a light on AB Volvo

Christer Gardell's recent call to arms contained within the pages of Swedish daily Dagens Industri may well have made for uncomfortable reading in certain Gothenburg corner offices. Gardell, an activist investor in the mould of Carl Icahn, has long been a thorn in the side of AB Volvo. Some readers may remember his era of agitation during 2006 and 2007, in which he held former Chief Executive Leif Johansson's feet to the fire in no uncertain terms. Gardell now appears to be warming up for a rematch with Olof Persson.