Many Swedish ministers don't even own a car

The Swedish government says it is willing to save the Swedish car industry. But Dagens Industri’s investigations show that only three of the state’s 22 ministers own a Saab or a Volvo. Industry minister, Maud Olofsson, drives a Ford.

Volvo is an official sponsor of Sweden’s EU chairmanship but when ministers themselves open their wallets to buy a car, the choice often falls on a foreign made car. Industry minister, Maud Olofsson, is the one who has the duty of saving the Swedish car industry. At her home in Högfors, she drives a Ford DA3, which she bought in 2006.

“Maud Olofsson was one of the first in Sweden to buy an ethanol-driven Ford car early 2000. She was so satisfied with it that she saw no reason to change to another make of car when she bought a new car,” says her press secretary, Frank Nilson.

DI’s investigations reveal that half the members of the cabinet, including the Prime Minister, have no cars registered in their names. But Fredrik Reinfeldt, Maud Olofsson, and a few of the most public ministers who have 24-hour security, are often seen getting out of a BMW. It is the Security Police which is responsible for the movement of these people.

“We buy the models which meet our security standards. We have mostly BMWs but also Mercedes and a few other models,” says Patrik Peter, press secretary of the Security Police.

Swedish ministers do not go into any excesses when they are buying cars. Most of those who own cars drive cars which can be owned by any other average Swede even if they are foreign made. It is only Trade Minister Ewa Björling who stands out with her Porsche 911 which she bought for herself as a 40th birthday present.

Two ministers own a Volvo – Social Affairs Minister Göran Hägglund (Volvo 70) and Agriculture Minister Eskil Erlandsson (Volvo S80). The only minister who owns a Saab is Foreign Aid minister Gunilla Carlsson who bought a Saab 9-5 Vector Sportcombi in 2007.

Dagens Industri, Jul. 7th, 2009