Volvo Cars Names Škoda Chief Zellmer Next CEO Amid Growth Push

Volvo Cars on Sunday named Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer its next president and CEO, to take over no later than Oct. 1, 2027. He succeeds Håkan Samuelsson, 75, who told TT three days earlier his contract would not extend past April 2027. Samuelsson led Volvo from 2012 to 2022 and returned in April 2025. The board unveiled a 13-model growth plan on Thursday. Zellmer has run Škoda since July 2022. Under him it delivered 1,043,900 vehicles in 2025, above one million for the first time in six years, and took second place in Europe in H1 2026. "I am delighted to join Volvo Cars at such an important moment in the company's development," he said. After almost 100 years, he added, its ability to reinvent itself is "both a remarkable achievement and an ongoing challenge." Chairman Eric Li said Zellmer's experience from both the high-end premium segment and high-volume brands is an excellent fit, and the board expects him to strengthen its position as a leading premium car company. Volvo said Samuelsson will, together with the Board, ensure a seamless transition. CONTESTED: Bloomberg and Seeking Alpha differ only in framing—revamp versus turnaround—with no factual dispute. The appointment was disclosed under the EU Market Abuse Regulation at 12:46 p.m. local time on Sept. 20, 2026.