Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer named new Volvo Cars CEO

Klaus Zellmer is leaving Skoda to take charge of Volvo Cars, becoming the Swedish brand's new President and CEO at a moment when the company is preparing a significant expansion of its model range. The appointment, confirmed according to multiple reports, sees the 59-year-old move from one major European car manufacturer to another in one of the more notable executive moves in the industry so far this year.

Zellmer will step into the role by October 2027 at the latest, succeeding Håkan Samuelsson, who is 75 and has indicated he does not intend to continue working full-time once his contract concludes in April 2027. The handover timeline gives both men a period of overlap that could ease the transition at a point when Volvo is managing considerable change across its business.

Volvo is reported to be on the brink of a major product push, with as many as 13 new models in the pipeline. That scale of launch activity places particular pressure on whoever leads the company, since introducing that many vehicles in a compressed period requires close coordination across manufacturing, sales and marketing operations globally.

For drivers who follow the brand, the leadership change arrives as Volvo continues its shift towards electrification and seeks to maintain its standing in a highly competitive premium car market. Zellmer brings experience from Skoda, where he oversaw the Czech brand's own product and market development, which may prove relevant as Volvo works through its forthcoming model offensive.