Volvo Cars names Skoda’s Klaus Zellmer as new president, CEO

The board of Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars has appointed Škoda Auto Chairman and CEO Klaus Zellmer as its new president and CEO, effective October 1, 2027.

In his new role at Volvo Cars, Zellmer will replace Håkan Samuelsson, who was reappointed in 2025. Volvo Cars is owned by the Chinese automotive conglomerate Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. 

Zellmer’s appointment comes as Volvo Cars prepares to ‌launch 13 new models by the end of this decade in a bid to double its market share. 

Volvo plans six new models for China and seven for Western markets, with a mix of BEVs and hybrids, as it targets a pre-tax margin of over 8%, up from 3.5% in 2025.

Models for Europe, the UK and the US will be built on Volvo's existing SPA2 and SPA3 platforms, using its HuginCore computing architecture. The Western line-up will include new sedans and estates for Europe, alongside a full-size electric SUV for the US market.

The six China-specific models will be developed in closer collaboration with Geely. The vehicles will share platforms, components and supply-chain resources with Geely, allowing Volvo to tailor products to local regulatory requirements and consumer preferences.

Zellmer comes with experience of over 30 years in the automotive industry. Most recently, he served as the chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Škoda Auto.

In India, Skoda leads the operations of Volkswagen Group’s business, and the group is exploring a partnership with Indian conglomerate JSW Group. The alliance will explore opportunities to expand Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s portfolio, deepen local sourcing and strengthen manufacturing.

Both companies announced an MoU when Zellmer and Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer were in India last week.