Skoda’s Klaus Zellmer named new president and CEO of Volvo Cars

The board of Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars has appointed Skoda Auto chairman and CEO Klaus Zellmer as its new president and CEO, effective October 1, 2027. Zellmer will replace Hakan Samuelsson, who was reappointed in 2025 after his successor, Jim Rowan, was sacked. Volvo is currently owned by the Chinese automotive conglomerate Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. 

1. Klaus Zellmer brings over three decades of auto industry experience
2. Volvo to launch 13 new cars globally by 2030

Zellmer brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He serves as chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Skoda Auto and has previously worked with Volkswagen and Porsche. “Few automotive brands have built such a strong and lasting reputation for safety, consistently applying this core value across the mobility sector,” Zellmer told Autocar UK.

Eric Li, the chairman of Volvo’s Chinese parent firm Geely, said Zellmer’s “experience from both the high-end premium segment and high-volume brands is an excellent fit” for Volvo. “The Board is confident that, under Klaus Zellmer’s leadership, Volvo Cars will build on its strong foundations and enter its next chapter with a clear ambition to strengthen its position as a leading premium car company,” he added.

In India, Skoda leads the operations of Volkswagen Group, which is exploring a partnership with Indian conglomerate JSW Group. When Zellmer and Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schafer were in India last week, both groups announced they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The alliance will explore opportunities to expand Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s portfolio, deepen local sourcing and strengthen manufacturing.

What is Volvo up to currently?

Volvo EX90

Volvo Cars announced plans to launch 13 new cars globally by the end of 2030. Of these, seven are for Western markets. The remaining six are for China and will be developed in collaboration with Geely. New sedans and estates will be part of the brand’s European line-up. For the Indian market, Volvo is bringing its flagship electric models, including the EX90 SUV and the ES90 sedan.