Volvo Cars appoints Klaus Zellmer as CEO, starting by October 1, 2027

  • Volvo Cars appointed Klaus Zellmer president and chief executive officer.
  • Zellmer will replace Hakan Samuelsson no later than October 1, 2027.
  • Volvo plans 13 models by 2030 and targets doubling its 1.7% EV and plug-in hybrid sales share.

Volvo Cars has appointed Klaus Zellmer, chief executive of Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda, as president and CEO, with him due to succeed Hakan Samuelsson no later than October 1, 2027. Samuelsson, who returned in 2025 for a second term, has said he does not seek full-time employment after his contract expires in April. Zellmer brings more than 28 years of Volkswagen Group experience, including leadership roles at Porsche, Volkswagen and Skoda. The change comes as Volvo prepares 13 new models by 2030, with seven aimed at Western markets and six at China. The company wants to double the share of global sales from electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from roughly 1.7%, while targeting an EBIT margin of at least 8% without setting a deadline. Majority-owned by Geely, Volvo is under pressure from U.S. tariffs, weak Chinese sales, softer electric-vehicle demand, excess capacity, high raw-material costs and an aging lineup.

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