Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer Leaves Mladá Boleslav Carmaker

A change is imminent at the top of Škoda Auto. Chairman of the Board Klaus Zellmer will leave the Czech car manufacturer and will in future take on a new professional role outside the Volkswagen Group.

Zellmer took over as Chairman of the Škoda Board on 1 July 2022. According to the company, he has now informed the Supervisory Board of his decision to continue his career outside the Volkswagen Group.

During his tenure, Škoda developed into one of the leading brands in the European car market. The Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker improved from tenth place in the European registration rankings in 2022 to second place in the first half of 2026. At the same time, Škoda increased sales, revenue and profitability and accelerated the expansion of its electric strategy. International expansion has also been driven forward in recent years, particularly in India and Southeast Asia.

Photo: Škoda Auto

Thomas Schäfer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Škoda Auto and Head of the Brand Group Core within the Volkswagen Group, praised Zellmer’s work. “Klaus Zellmer has played a successful role in shaping Škoda over the past few years. The latest example is the Škoda Epiq as part of the Electric Urban Car Family. We respect his personal wish to begin a new professional chapter. We wish him all the best,” Schäfer said.

Holger Peters Takes Over Management for the Time Being

Until a successor to Zellmer is found, Chief Financial Officer Holger Peters will take over the management of the company on an interim basis. Together with the rest of the Board, he is expected to continue the strategic and operational development of Škoda Auto. Peters has been a member of the Czech carmaker’s Board since 1 June 2023.

Photo: Škoda Auto

Zellmer described his time at Škoda as “extraordinary and formative”. Together with the team, it had been possible to strengthen the brand, open up new markets and develop Škoda into one of Europe’s most successful car brands. “This success is above all due to the people at Škoda – their passion, their expertise and their daily commitment,” Zellmer said. He added that the time had now come for him to take on a new role outside the Volkswagen Group.

Move to Volvo Cars

Zellmer’s next professional step will take him to Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars. According to German magazine Der Spiegel, Zellmer is expected to take up his position by 1 October 2027 at the latest. He will succeed Håkan Samuelsson, who had already led Volvo Cars from 2012 to 2022. Samuelsson returned to the top of the company in April 2025 and is now expected to work together with the Board of Directors to ensure an orderly transition to his successor.