Continental AG’s Supervisory Board has appointed Christian Kötz (55) as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board, effective January 1, 2026. He will succeed Nikolai Setzer (54), who will step down from the Executive Board by mutual agreement on December 31, 2025, concluding more than 16 years on the Board and five years as CEO.
The leadership transition follows significant progress in Continental’s strategic realignment and its transformation into a pure-play tire company. Key milestones have already been achieved, including the spin-off of Aumovio and the signing of an agreement to sell the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area.
In addition, internal preparations for the planned sale of the ContiTech business, scheduled for 2026, are largely complete. The market outreach phase has concluded, with the structured sales process set to begin in January 2026. Together, these developments mark a critical phase in Continental’s transformation and lay the groundwork for its final strategic step.
Wolfgang Reitzle, chairman of Continental’s Supervisory Board: “Nikolai Setzer has been instrumental in shaping Continental, realigning the organization and paving the way for three strong, independent companies. For this, he has the thanks of the entire Supervisory Board as well as my personal gratitude. With this handover, we are consolidating responsibility for the tire business, the realignment and the remaining tasks of the group functions in one role. Christian Kötz is one of the most distinguished managers in the global tire industry. With his extensive experience and passion for Continental, we firmly believe he is the right choice to lead the company successfully into the future.”
“In recent years, we have succeeded in transforming a diverse portfolio of businesses into three strong, independent champions. After 28 years at Continental, now is the right time for me to hand over responsibility to Christian Kötz. I’m extremely grateful for the journey we’ve all shared and proud of what we’ve all achieved together. I firmly believe that the tire business, ContiTech, Aumovio and OESL have a promising future ahead,” said Nikolai Setzer in Hanover on Wednesday.
Christian Kötz: “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for its trust and am excited about this new responsibility. Continental has been my professional home for three decades. Together with the Executive Board team and all colleagues throughout the company, we will complete the realignment and continue the success story of our tire business.”
Christian Kötz has held various roles in Continental’s tire business since 1996. He has been a member of the Executive Board since 2019 and previously led key areas within the Tires group sector, including the replacement business for passenger-car tires (EMEA), the original-equipment and commercial-vehicle-tire business units, as well as global R&D for passenger-car tires. His many years of close and trusted collaboration with Nikolai Setzer will help ensure a seamless transition.
Alongside Christian Kötz and Philip Nelles (51), who has been the head of the ContiTech group sector since 2021, Roland Welzbacher (56) has been a member of the Executive Board since August 2025 and has served as chief financial officer since October 1, 2025. Ulrike Hintze (49) joined the board as CHRO and director of labour relations on July 1, 2025. As the Executive Board drives the tire business forward, it will complete the company’s realignment and, following the sale of ContiTech, integrate the remaining group functions with the tires organization.
