On 30 September, our esteemed colleague Anders Karlsson passed away. Aged 50, Anders represented Sweden on both the IVOTY & IPUA juries and organised the IPUA Test Trails in his homeland last year. As well as being Svensk Åkeritidning’s editor-in-chief, Anders was also a successful novelist, conference organiser and moderator.
As an ongoing tribute to Anders and in expression of sympathy to his family, here follows words of condolences, from his fellow jury members which will be updated regularly.
I am so sad about the sudden death of my good friend Anders. We often shared the test-vehicles all over the world – or a nightcap together at the bar in Lisbon, Rome, Shanghai or Atlanta. We remember the fantastic job he did at our Pick-up 4×4 test last year in Uppsala and the great efforts he made at the Swedish Elmia truck show in Jönköping.
Even in Denmark he knew the CEO’s of the big logistic companies. I can’t understand it, I will no longer hear his joyful laughter. I really miss him. My thoughts go to his family. Anders – Rest in Peace. Your old friend,
Carsten (Denmark)
It’s such a sad day for all of us. Anders’ deep knowledge of the transport industry and logistics was accompanied by his great humaneness an kindness. Two qualities that we find in his work as a writer: He was the inventor of the logistics thriller genre. I will miss his genuine smile and his gentle voice. It’s really hard to accept that Anders is no longer with us. I will miss his sincere smile and his gentle voice. My thought go out to his loved ones. Thank you,
Raffaele (Italy)
It’s sad news. A true friend has passed away. I’ve known Anders since he started in iTrafik working for Tiit Tamme in the early ‘90s. We spent a week together during Arctic Van Test every winter, had so many good conversations and experiences together. He was always happy with a big smile. He will be deeply missed.
Torbjørn (Norway)
Shocking news indeed. Such a nice person and dear friend. Tremendous loss not only for his family, but for all of us.
Matko (Croatia)
I am shocked too – we lost a really great and nice man like all of you just wrote. I can agree on everything you said. May Anders rest in peace!
Henrik (Switzerland)
Terrible news. Sad for this kind and pleasant man. Too young to die. Good memories. Condolences to all his loved ones.
Richard (France)
This is really the saddest news to follow the bad news in recent times and an absolute low point. He was an perfect gentlemen and highly appreciated, open minded conversation partner every time we met. Will miss him very much and cannot believe he passed away. We have to carry on in his honour. Sad regards,
Johannes (Germany)
Anders you were a wonderful, kind and intelligent man. I enjoyed your company immensely and I will miss you greatly.
We are a poorer jury without him.
George (UK)
What a shocking news. Anders really will be missed. Condolences. Farväl min vän. Goodbye my friend,
Henri (Finland)
So sad to hear losing Anders- just seen his happy pictures on Facebook – Don’t know what to write. Saddest thing I have heard recently as some colleagues has already mentioned. We are going to miss your warm smile. Rest in Peace.
Akin (Turkey)
It is a shock, indeed. He was such a nice guy. I always remember him with two suitcases rushing from an event to another.
He worked really hard, but you barely noticed that he came to a test drive just returning from an interview with important CEOs or from a Conference moderated by him, events that are very stressful, normally. We often talked about conferences and shared ideas. I will definitely miss him. May he rest in peace.
Marilena (Romania)
Just a few days ago we exchange on Facebook. Definitely fantastic colleague. Can’t believe it. RIP.
Alex (Poland)
It is very difficult to find the right words for such a loss. As Alex said, we exchanged greetings via Facebook just a few days ago, and the news really shocked me. From here we send a message of love and support to his entire family.
F. Javier (Spain)
Saddest news of 2020, sounds unreal, may he rest in peace.
Vassilis (Greece)
This news comes as a complete shock. Anders was a very gentle colleague I truly appreciated. My thoughts go to his loved ones, to whom I present my sincere condolences.
Leo (Belgium)
I am completely speechless. May Anders rest in peace.
Martin (Slovakia)
I don’t know what to say. May he rest in peace. In deep sadness,
Milan (Czech Republic)
I´m lost for words. Can´t believe this,
Karin (Austria)
Cannot believe it, Life is so short.
Fedor (Russia)
Such sad news. Anders was a wonderful man gentleman and great friend to us all. May he rest in peace. We will miss him dearly. Yours in sympathy,
Jarlath (Ireland)
On 29 November 2019, Anders turned 50 years old. Soon after, I arrived at an airport somewhere in Europe with him on the same flight, as we were on the same events so often. I asked him how his weekend was, and he said he and his family celebrated his birthday. ‘Big party’, I asked? ‘No’, he replied, ‘just very low key’. I replied I’d feel the same. Not too much fuss, not too much limelight. Anders was a calm character, but a very warm one. A smile was never far from his face and we had some good laughs through the years.
He was a hard worker, and we exchanged stories and tips on good articles a few times. He was a wonderful host for our IPUA test last year in Sweden. I’ll always remember Anders for a funny incident that happened in Amsterdam. We were in a bar, enjoying a beer, and then traditional Dutch snacks came by. Straight from the fryer, so very hot. Anders apparently didn’t know, and chucked in a so-called ‘bitterbal’ in one go. He soon realised it was a bad idea, and I could not stop laughing as he wrestled, chewed, chewed again and finally swallowed the very hot substance. I had tears in my eyes from laughing, he from the hot experience. Next year, I will turn fifty years old, hopefully. It feels bitter never to share a beer or even a bitterbal with Anders again, just to celebrate life.
R.I.P Anders! You were big friend! What an awful news. This is a shock. Anders was such a wonderful, caring colleague. My condolences to his relatives and to all of you as well.
Arjan (Netherlands)
Rest in Peace Anders. You were big friend!
Lachezar (Bulgaria)
Condolences to the late Anders Karlsson’s family sent by Van Brand Press Representatives received to date
News of Ander’s passing was sent by his colleague Lotta;
Our colleague, Anders Karlsson, Svensk Åkeritidning’s editor-in-chief for many years have passed away. We understand that you knew and worked with him with Van of the Year, therefore we want to tell you.
Anders’ knowledge of the industry was unique – he knew the ownership structures of most companies – who was the CEO and who were their biggest customers. Appreciated by everyone – employees and colleagues in the industry – no one had anything bad to say about Anders. The loss of Anders will be great – not only as a professional but also as a person – a warm person who always had time to listen – whether it was a job or private discussions. Our thoughts go primarily to Anders’ loved ones. We are very sorry. Take care! Med vänlig hälsning
Lotta
Ford
Such sad, and shocking news. We are deeply sorry to read this and send our sympathies to Anders’ family, and friends.
So many fond memories of times spent together.
Such terrible news. All the best to the rest of the jury. As said, so many memories over the years, this is really shocking.
Remembering the dinner I spent with him in Stockholm roughly a year ago…RIP Anders.
Renault
What a sad news, it was always so nice to meet Anders and joyful to discuss with him. Our thoughts to Anders’ loved ones!
What a sad news. Please convey our condolences to Anders’ family.
Nissan
So sorry to hear sad demise of Andres Karlsson. RIP
Mercedes-Benz
Really sad news – our thoughts are with his family and friends – may he rest in peace
Mitsubishi
Very sad news indeed. Our warmest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues
Soultrans
It is very sad to read about Anders’ death. On behalf of SOLUTRANS team from FFC and Comexposium, I would like to express our deepest compassion with his family and all his colleagues.
Mario
Iveco
We are deeply saddened by the news you gave us. We have a sweet memory of Anders.
Mitsubishi Sweden
So tremendously sad to receive this news indeed. Our warmest condolences to his family and friends. Anders was a really warm and nice friend and a really good person, journalist and auto editor.
Renault Pro+
We are sincerely sad to learn such a news.
James, Florian and I have fond memories of the wonderful welcome Anders gave us in Sweden last year for the pick-up test drives, always with a big smile and incredible kindness.
An excellent memory of friendliness and professionalism!
All our sincere thoughts to his family, loved ones and all the great team of IVOTY.
Maxis/SAIC Group China
Sorry to hear that. Our deepest condolence to Anders and his family.
Volkswagen
That’s terrible news! We are feeling with you and all IVotY members and especially with the relatives and loved ones of Anders!
Please accept and send our deepest sympathy, regrets and our sincere condolences.
Anders will have always a solid place in our memories as a good-natured person, a brilliant Swedish guy with high interest and knowledge of cars and with a great heart.
Hope we can have a toast or two together to contemplate his remembrance, if we may see us in Munich this month, and if Corona allows us to meet in person.
Peugeot
This is a very sad news.
We would like to express our sincere condolences to you and IVOTY family for this very regrettable loss.
Opel
We are still shocked about this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May Anders rest in peace. Yours in sympathy,
Mercedes-Benz
Thanks for sending this information. What sad news, I would like to express my condolences to the whole IVOTY team and his family. Take good care during these difficult times. Best wishes from Stuttgart.
Peugeot Brand
We have learned that your colleague Anders Karlsson has passed away.
We pass along our condolences on behalf of the Peugeot brand.
We share your grief as well as that of the members of the jury, his friends and family.
