Volvo Cars has appointed Škoda Auto chief Klaus Zellmer as its next president and chief executive, with the 59-year-old German executive due to take over no later than Oct 1, 2027.
Zellmer will succeed Håkan Samuelsson, who returned to lead Volvo Cars in April 2025 after previously serving as CEO from 2012 to 2022. Samuelsson will work with the board during the handover.
Volvo chairman Eric Li said Zellmer brings experience spanning premium and high-volume car brands, as well as more than 30 years in the automotive industry.
Zellmer has headed Škoda since July 2022. The Czech carmaker said separately that he is leaving to pursue an opportunity outside the Volkswagen Group, with finance chief Holger Peters leading the company on an interim basis until a successor is appointed.
Škoda has expanded strongly during Zellmer’s tenure. It rose from 10th in European registrations in 2022 to second in the first half of 2026. Worldwide deliveries increased 9.1% year on year to 555,700 vehicles during the six-month period.
Battery-electric vehicle deliveries also climbed 48.3% to a record 108,200 units, led by the Elroq and Enyaq.
Before joining Škoda, Zellmer was Volkswagen Passenger Cars board member for sales, marketing and after-sales. He previously spent more than 20 years at Porsche, including spells as CEO of Porsche Deutschland and Porsche Cars North America.
