Klaus Zellmer, currently leading the Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda, has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Volvo Cars. He is expected to assume his new role by October 2027 at the latest, succeeding interim CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
Samuelsson, who returned to the company in March 2025, will step down from full-time duties following the expiration of his contract in April 2027. Zellmer brings extensive experience from his tenure at Porsche and his leadership at Skoda since 2022.
The leadership transition occurs as Volvo Cars initiates a comprehensive corporate restructuring to address recent profitability challenges and declining sales in the Chinese market. The company intends to release 13 new models by the end of the decade, split between Western and Chinese markets.
Volvo Cars aims to double its market share in the electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid segments. The company recently introduced new plug-in hybrid models capable of achieving an electric range of up to 200 kilometres.
Concurrently, Volvo is restructuring its German operations. René Müller will replace Herrik van der Gaag as the head of Volvo in Germany starting 1 October 2026. Müller previously served as the Director of Commercial Operations for the brand in Germany.
