Volvo Appoints Klaus Zellmer as New CEO to Lead Product Strategy

Volvo Cars has appointed Klaus Zellmer as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, marking the latest leadership change for the Swedish automaker as it navigates a challenging market. The announcement, made on September 21, 2026, confirms that Zellmer will assume his duties from outgoing CEO Håkan Samuelsson no later than October 1, 2027. Zellmer joins Volvo from Volkswagen Group, where he most recently served as CEO of Skoda. He brings over 30 years of automotive industry experience, including a previous role as President and CEO of Porsche North America from 2015 to 2020. His appointment is part of a planned transition, as Samuelsson was reappointed in 2025 with a two-year mandate to find a long-term successor. The leadership change comes as Volvo prepares to execute a major strategic roadmap. The company has announced plans to launch 13 all-new models by 2030, with a regionalized strategy that will see six models developed for Europe and the United States, and seven models created specifically for the Chinese market. This product push is central to Volvo's goal of doubling its market share and achieving an operating margin of 8.