olvo Cars has appointed Škoda Auto chief Klaus Zellmer as its next president and CEO, with the leadership change to take effect no later than October 1, 2027. Zellmer will succeed Håkan Samuelsson as Volvo advances a new product and profitability strategy extending through the end of the decade.
Key Takeaways
- Klaus Zellmer has been appointed the next president and CEO of Volvo Cars.
- He will assume the position no later than October 1, 2027.
- Håkan Samuelsson remains Volvo Cars president and CEO during the transition.
- Škoda Auto confirmed that Zellmer is leaving the Volkswagen Group after more than four years leading the brand.
- Volvo recently announced plans for 13 new vehicles through 2030 alongside measures aimed at improving profitability and cash generation.
Volvo Names Zellmer as Samuelsson’s Successor
Volvo Cars appointed Klaus Zellmer as its next president and CEO on September 20, 2026, setting October 1, 2027, as the latest date for the leadership change.
Zellmer will succeed Håkan Samuelsson, who returned as Volvo Cars president and CEO in April 2025. Samuelsson had previously led the automaker from 2012 to 2022.
Volvo Cars said Samuelsson will work with the board during the transition period.
Zellmer brings more than 30 years of automotive industry experience, including senior roles at Škoda Auto, Volkswagen and Porsche.
“I am delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an important moment in the company’s development,” Zellmer said in the company’s announcement.
Volvo Cars Chairman Eric Li said Zellmer’s experience across premium and high-volume automotive brands was among the factors behind the appointment.
Samuelsson Remains at Volvo During the Transition
Samuelsson returned to Volvo Cars in 2025 as the company worked on a new strategic roadmap and responded to changing conditions across the global automotive industry.
He remains president and CEO following Zellmer’s appointment.
Volvo Cars has not announced an exact date for Zellmer to begin the role. The company has said the handover will take place no later than October 1, 2027.
The arrangement gives Volvo a transition period between the announcement of its next CEO and the formal leadership change.
Other companies have used similar CEO succession plans in which a successor is announced before assuming the position.
Škoda Confirms Zellmer’s Departure
Zellmer was chairman of the board of management and CEO of Škoda Auto when Volvo Cars announced his appointment.
Škoda Auto confirmed on September 21, 2026, that Zellmer will leave the company after more than four years as its chief executive. He has led the Czech automaker since July 1, 2022.
The company said Zellmer is leaving to pursue a new career opportunity outside the Volkswagen Group.
Škoda Chief Financial Officer Holger Peters will lead the company on an interim basis until a permanent successor is appointed.
The announcement means Zellmer’s departure from Škoda will be handled separately from the timetable for his arrival at Volvo Cars.
Zellmer Brings Three Decades of Automotive Experience
Zellmer’s career spans more than 30 years across several major automotive brands.
Before becoming Škoda Auto CEO, he served on the board of management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, where he was responsible for sales, marketing and after-sales operations.
He previously spent more than two decades at Porsche.
His positions included CEO of Porsche Deutschland and president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. He also held responsibility for sales and marketing on Porsche’s executive board before moving to Volkswagen.
Zellmer’s career has included leadership responsibilities in Europe and North America as well as experience across premium and mass-market automotive businesses.
His move to Volvo follows several leadership changes across the global auto industry, including a Toyota leadership reshuffle announced earlier in 2026.
Volvo’s 2030 Strategy Sets the Business Context
Zellmer’s appointment came three days after Volvo Cars announced a new strategic roadmap covering products, regional operations, profitability and cash generation.
The automaker plans to introduce 13 all-new vehicles between 2026 and the end of 2030.
Seven are intended primarily for Western markets, while six are planned for China. The lineup will include fully electric vehicles as well as newer-generation hybrid models.
Volvo is also increasing the regionalization of its product development.
Vehicles for Western markets will make greater use of the company’s SPA2 and SPA3 architectures, while Volvo plans closer cooperation with Geely on platforms, technology, components and supply chains for China.
The company is targeting a long-term earnings before interest and taxes margin above 8 percent.
Volvo also plans to increase the proportion of shared parts across its vehicles to about 30 percent by 2030, compared with roughly 10 percent currently. The company has said greater component commonality could reduce material costs by about 5 percent by the end of the decade.
Volvo Faces Pressure Across Major Auto Markets
The leadership transition comes as Volvo Cars responds to softer electric vehicle demand in some markets, tariffs and high development costs.
The company has also faced weaker sales in China and greater competition from domestic electric vehicle manufacturers.
Its updated strategy includes measures intended to reduce future development costs, increase the use of common components and adapt products more closely to regional demand.
Volvo plans to continue offering both fully electric vehicles and electrified models as market conditions differ between regions.
Zellmer is set to take over as those product, cost and regional strategies move further into implementation.
Volvo CEO Succession Moves Toward 2027 Handover
Volvo Cars now has a named successor while Samuelsson remains in charge during the transition.
Zellmer will assume the president and CEO position no later than October 1, 2027, following his departure from Škoda Auto.
The Volvo CEO succession comes as the automaker begins implementing its 13-model product program and broader plans to strengthen profitability, cash generation and regional competitiveness through 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Volvo Cars’ next CEO?
Klaus Zellmer has been appointed the next president and CEO of Volvo Cars. He was CEO and chairman of the board of management of Škoda Auto when Volvo announced the appointment.
When will Klaus Zellmer become Volvo Cars CEO?
Zellmer will take over as Volvo Cars president and CEO no later than October 1, 2027. Volvo has not announced a more specific starting date.
Who will Klaus Zellmer replace at Volvo Cars?
Zellmer will succeed Håkan Samuelsson. Samuelsson returned as Volvo Cars president and CEO in April 2025 and remains in the position during the Volvo CEO succession.
Is Klaus Zellmer leaving Škoda Auto?
Yes. Škoda Auto announced on September 21, 2026, that Zellmer is leaving the company to pursue a new career opportunity outside the Volkswagen Group. CFO Holger Peters will lead Škoda on an interim basis until a successor is appointed.
What experience does Klaus Zellmer have?
Zellmer has more than 30 years of automotive industry experience. His previous positions include senior leadership roles at Škoda Auto, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Porsche Deutschland and Porsche Cars North America.
