Truecaller AB, the Swedish caller ID and spam detection firm, is set to welcome Aruna Sundararajan, a seasoned technology and policy expert, to its board. The nomination, proposed by the company's Nomination Committee, will be voted on at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 23, 2025. Sundararajan's extensive experience in the tech sector and her pivotal roles in shaping India's digital and telecom policies mark her as a significant addition to Truecaller's governance team.
Sundararajan's career highlights include serving as the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications in India, where she was instrumental in policy-making for the telecom sector. Her leadership as Kerala's first IT Secretary, driving digital infrastructure and e-learning projects, further underscores her capability to contribute to Truecaller's strategic direction. Currently, she chairs the Broadband India Forum and holds advisory and directorial positions in several prominent organizations, including Delhivery Limited and L&T Technology Services Limited.
The Nomination Committee's proposal also includes the re-election of all current board members, ensuring continuity in Truecaller's leadership. Kamjar Hajabdolahi, Chairman of the Nomination Committee, expressed enthusiasm about Sundararajan's nomination, highlighting her potential to enhance the board's expertise in policy and regulatory matters, especially in technology. This move is seen as a step to bolster Truecaller's strategic depth amid its focus on digital trust and global expansion.
Aruna Sundararajan's appointment is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Truecaller's board, particularly in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of the tech and telecom sectors. Her independent status from the company and its major shareholders adds an unbiased perspective to the board's deliberations, aligning with best governance practices. As Truecaller continues to expand its footprint, Sundararajan's insights into digital transformation and policy frameworks will be invaluable in steering the company's future growth.
Shares in European automakers Volvo Cars and Stellantis surged on Thursday as stronger-than-expected U.S. sales figures alleviated investor concerns that tariffs might dampen demand. The positive performance came despite ongoing worries about higher import duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of his administration's broader push to boost domestic manufacturing. Automakers across the industry have been implementing strategies to mitigate potential tariff impacts, including focusing on higher-margin vehicle segments.
Stellantis reported its first quarterly growth in the U.S. market this year, with new car sales rising 6% in the third quarter. The French-Italian-American automaker's shares climbed as much as 7% following the late Wednesday announcement. The company noted that all of its major brands—Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and FIAT—experienced sales growth during the period, indicating broad-based strength across its product portfolio despite the challenging trade environment.
Volvo Cars similarly posted encouraging results, with shares rising 5% after the Swedish automaker reported a 3% increase in third-quarter U.S. sales. The company's sales composition revealed that non-electrified models continued to dominate its U.S. business, with nearly 70% of September volumes consisting of mild hybrids and other internal combustion engine vehicles. This sales mix highlights how traditional powertrains remain central to the company's American market strategy even as it expands its electric vehicle offerings.
The Swedish carmaker, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding, faces significant exposure to U.S. tariffs since most of its U.S.-bound vehicles are manufactured in Europe. Currently, Volvo produces only its electric EX90 SUV in the United States, but the company has announced plans to begin local production of its popular XC60 plug-in hybrid by the end of 2026. An additional hybrid model is scheduled for production at its South Carolina factory before 2030, representing a strategic shift toward localized manufacturing to reduce tariff vulnerability.