Volvo Cars has appointed Klaus Zellmer as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, with the automotive executive set to assume the role no later than October 1, 2027. Current CEO Håkan Samuelsson will work with the Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition.
Zellmer brings more than 30 years of experience in the global automotive industry to Volvo Cars. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Škoda Auto, where he has overseen the brand’s growth and expansion of its electric vehicle portfolio.
Commenting on the appointment, Eric Li, Chairman of Volvo Cars, said Zellmer’s automotive expertise and international leadership experience would support the company as it navigates transformation and changing market conditions. He also highlighted Zellmer’s experience across both premium and high-volume automotive brands.
Zellmer said he was pleased to join Volvo Cars at an important stage in the company’s development. He highlighted Volvo’s long-standing reputation for safety, its design identity and its ability to evolve while retaining its core brand values.
Håkan Samuelsson to Support Leadership Transition
Samuelsson has served as Volvo Cars’ CEO during two separate periods. His first tenure ran from 2012 to 2022, before he returned to the position in April 2025 to help shape the company’s future strategic direction amid challenging conditions for the global automotive industry.
During his current tenure, Samuelsson has focused on providing stability while preparing the company for a long-term leadership transition.
Klaus Zellmer’s Automotive Career
Born in 1967, Zellmer has held senior leadership positions across several major automotive businesses, with experience spanning industrial operations, sales, marketing and technology.
Before joining Volvo Cars, Zellmer served as Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Škoda Auto. Under his leadership, the Czech automaker recorded strong sales performance and continued to expand its electric vehicle business, including record EV deliveries during the first half of 2026.
Prior to leading Škoda, Zellmer was a Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, where he was responsible for marketing, sales and after-sales operations.
Zellmer spent more than two decades with Porsche, holding several senior positions during his tenure, including CEO of Porsche Deutschland and CEO of Porsche North America.
He began his professional career in 1994 at the Institute for Automotive Economics at Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences, where he worked for three years after completing a degree in Business Administration.
With Zellmer set to take over by October 2027, Volvo Cars is preparing for a leadership transition as the company continues to navigate changes across the global automotive industry.
