Volvo Taps Škoda's Zellmer as CEO Ahead of 2026 Exit by Samuelsson

Volvo Car AB's board of directors has appointed Klaus Zellmer, currently chief executive of Škoda Auto, as the automaker's new president and CEO, Bloomberg reported Sept. 20, 2026. Zellmer will replace Håkan Samuelsson, who is set to step down next year, according to the report.

The appointment places Zellmer at the head of what Bloomberg's report described as an ongoing revamp of the Swedish automaker, though the report did not detail the specific strategic changes planned under his leadership.

Who Is Replacing Håkan Samuelsson as Volvo Car CEO?

Klaus Zellmer, the sitting chief executive of Volkswagen Group's Škoda Auto brand, has been named by Volvo Car AB's board as president and CEO, Bloomberg reported. The board's decision was announced as part of a leadership transition tied to Samuelsson's planned departure.

Who Is Klaus Zellmer?

Bloomberg's report identifies Zellmer only by his current role as chief executive of Škoda Auto. The report did not include additional biographical detail, such as his prior roles or the length of his tenure at the Czech automaker, leaving those specifics unconfirmed in the initial coverage.

When Will the Leadership Change Take Effect?

Bloomberg's report says Samuelsson "is set to step down next year," without naming an exact date. Based on the report's Sept. 20, 2026, publication, that timeline points to 2027, though Bloomberg's account does not specify a formal handover date or whether Zellmer will hold any interim title before Samuelsson's exit.

Why Is Volvo Making This Change Now?

The move comes as Volvo's board looks to Zellmer to steer what the Bloomberg headline calls a "revamp" of the company. The report frames the appointment as forward-looking, tied to that broader overhaul, but does not spell out the operational, product or financial pressures driving the timing of the switch.

What Details Remain Unknown?

Bloomberg's initial dispatch does not include comment from Zellmer, Samuelsson or Volvo's board chair, nor does it address whether Zellmer will depart Škoda immediately or serve out a transition period at the Volkswagen Group brand before formally joining Volvo. Questions about compensation, board composition changes and the precise contours of the announced revamp were also not addressed in the report.

Timeline of the Volvo CEO Transition

• Sept. 20, 2026: Bloomberg reports Volvo Car AB's board has named Klaus Zellmer as incoming president and CEO.
• 2027 ("next year," per Bloomberg): Håkan Samuelsson is set to step down as CEO, based on the report's publication date.

Further details on the handover, including an exact departure date for Samuelsson and Zellmer's start date, had not been disclosed as of Bloomberg's report.