Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Volvo Cars Names Skoda Chief Klaus Zellmer Next CEO
Volvo Cars has chosen Klaus Zellmer to become its next boss.
He will replace Håkan Samuelsson, who is expected to leave next year.
Zellmer currently leads Skoda Auto, another car company owned by Volkswagen.
He is expected to start at Volvo Cars by October 1, 2027, at the latest.
The current boss and the company’s board will help make the change smooth.
Volvo Cars is facing strong competition and other business challenges.
The company is changing how its factories work and plans to launch many new vehicles.
It wants to sell more electric and hybrid cars around the world.
Volvo Cars appointed Klaus Zellmer, 59, as its next president and CEO.
Zellmer, currently the head of Skoda Auto, will replace Håkan Samuelsson.
He is scheduled to take charge no later than October 1, 2027.
Samuelsson and the Volvo board will work with Zellmer on a seamless leadership transition.
Volvo Cars is also restructuring its manufacturing network and planning 13 new vehicles by the end of the decade.
- Who
- Klaus Zellmer will succeed Håkan Samuelsson as Volvo Cars president and CEO.
- What
- Volvo Cars appointed Zellmer as its next chief executive.
- When
- The appointment was announced on Sunday; Zellmer will take charge no later than October 1, 2027, while Samuelsson is scheduled to step down next year.
- Where
- The change concerns Volvo Cars, the Swedish automaker, and its global operations.
- Why
- The leadership transition comes as Volvo Cars restructures its manufacturing network, faces fierce competition and works to restore growth.
- Incoming CEO
- Klaus Zellmer, 59
- Outgoing CEO
- Håkan Samuelsson, 75
- Current role
- Zellmer is CEO of Volkswagen AG’s Skoda Auto division.
- Start deadline
- No later than October 1, 2027
- Manufacturing plan
- Five plants dedicated to Volvo Cars and two shared with partners
- Planned launches
- Seven vehicles for Western markets and six for China by the end of the decade
- Current EV and plug-in hybrid share
- About 1.7% of global sales, according to the article