"We are a global premium seller and we design and build our products for a global customer base," he said. "That of course does not rule out specific models for specific markets. Generally European customers want more compact cars while the Chinese and American customers want bigger models."

Volvo is expected to see further growth in 2011. "Our new Modus (model) means we are being offensive instead of defensive," he told Salzburger Nachtrichten, when asked about his expectations for 2011.

Last year the company made a profit for the first time since 2005. Asked whether the Sweden-based carmaker would sell more cars in 2011 than the 373,500 autos last year, he said: "At least one more, and if it is an emergency I will buy one myself."

Jacoby, who once ran Volkswagen AG's operations in China, added that Volvo's Chinese owners have fostered "professional and deep" cooperation and that their involvement would strengthen the Volvo brand.

Geely's $1.7 billion (11.2 billion yuan) purchase of Ford Motor Co.'s Volvo unit last year marked China's biggest acquisition of a foreign car maker.