Who Is Klaus Zellmer? From Porsche To Skoda to Volvo; Meet the New Boss Set to Lead In 2027

The automobile industry has got a new leadership update, and it is coming from the auto giant Volvo. Volvo Cars has appointed Klaus Zellmer as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. With this, they are bringing in a very professional and seasoned automotive leader into the company, to kickstart their new season.

Klaus Zellmer was announced on 20th September 2026, and he is set to take charge next year in 2027, October 1st. 

Currently, Hakan Samuelsson is at the position, Zellmer will succeed him in 2027. Volvo Cars is preparing for its next phase of growth and transformation, and it will be marked by Zellmer’s first day.

Currently, Zellmer is serving as the Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Skoda Auto. He has been serving as Skoda’s CEO since 2022.

Klaus Zellmer has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. On a very notable note, he has also worked with auto leaders like Porsche and Volkswagen.

Who Is Klaus Zellmer?

Klaus is a seasoned German automotive executive; he has over 30 decades of experience. This experience includes him working globally with the biggest brands possible in the global auto industry.

Klaus Zellmer has a strong academic background; he has studied business administration. He began his career at the Institute of Automotive Economics initially. Moving forward, Klaus joined Porsche in 1997, and since then he has been gaining experience in the field. Zellmer has held several leadership roles, including CEO of Porsche Deutschland and Porsche North America. 

Following his passion, in 2020, he took a leap and shifted to Volkswagen Passenger Cars for handling sales, marketing and after-sales. Since July 2022, Zellmer has served as CEO of Skoda Auto. Volvo Cars has now selected him to lead the company from 2027.

Klaus Zellmer’s Career And Journey

• Early Career And Education: Before entering the automotive industry, he has worked for three years as a researcher at the Institute for Automotive Economics at Nürtingen-Geislingen University.

• 23 Years At Porsche: KlausZellmer joined Porsche in 1997, when he was just 23 years old. He spent more than 20 years with the luxury carmaker. He also held senior positions, including CEO of Porsche Deutschland and CEO of Porsche North America.

• Volkswagen Role: In 2020, he joined Volkswagen Passenger Cars as a member of the Board of Management. His role included overseeing sales, marketing and after-sales.

• Leading Skoda Auto: Klaus  Zellmer became CEO of Skoda Auto in July 2022. Under his leadership, Skoda reported record financial results in 2025, with 1.17 million vehicles delivered worldwide and an operating result of €2.5 billion.

Why Has Volvo Cars Chosen Klaus Zellmer?

The whole automotive industry is looking at the next chapter that Volvo is going to witness. Volvo Cars has chosen its boss, Klaus Zellmer, for its next leadership because of his extensive experience in the field. Zellmer has experience both in premium and high-volume automotive brands.

The chairman of Volvo Cars, Eric Li, has highlighted the decorated career trajectory of Zellmer, with broad industry experience, built through senior roles at Porsche, Volkswagen and Skoda. He said in the statement, “His experience from both the high-end premium segment and high-volume brands is an excellent fit.”

Along his over 3 decades career, Klaus Zellmer was exposed to different markets, customers and areas of the automotive business.

Zellmer will now take charge at Volvo on 1st October in 2027 and will guide in making the company. Zellmer will take charge at Volvo Cars as the global auto industry continues to evolve. The sector is witnessing major changes, from the shift towards electric vehicles and changing consumer demand to evolving market conditions and new challenges.