Skoda appoints new global CEO

Skoda’s current global CEO is to step down from the role later this year, as he instead takes up the top job of heading up the whole of the Volkswagen Group’s ‘Volume’ sub-brand.

Thomas Schäfer, who has only held the CEO position since August 2020, will become Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, as well as joining the Group’s Board of Management and becoming Head of the ‘Volume’ brand group on July 1 this year. Just days ago on April 1 he was officially appointment as VW’s Chief Operating Officer.

His replacement comes in the form of Klaus Zellmer, who is currently the member of the Group’s Board of Management responsible for sales, marketing and after sales of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. From July he will join Skoda’s Board and be elected as Chairman.

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The movements at Skoda come as part of a wider reshuffle of the VW Group’s management. According to a report from Autocar late 2021, current Volkswagen cars CEO Ralf Brandstatter will join the main VW Group board, and from August will take over as the head of the group’s China operation. Meanwhile, Group chairman Herbert Diess has now taken over direct control of Cariad, the firm’s software division, succeeding Audi boss Markus Duesmann.

“Thomas Schäfer has laid the foundations for a promising future for the brand by successfully launching the electric Enyaq iV and other planned e-models, taking on responsibility for regions and platforms for the Volkswagen Group and successfully implementing the India 2.0 project. I would like to thank him for this on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board,” said Murat Aksel, Chairman of Skoda’s Supervisory Board.

“At the same time, Klaus Zellmer has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. During this time, he has not only distinguished himself as a leading automotive expert but has also demonstrated great strategic and entrepreneurial foresight. I am convinced that, alongside the Board team, he will do everything in his power to continue to systematically advance Skoda’s successful development.”

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Klaus Zellmer, who earned a degree in business administration, began his professional career in 1997 as an assistant to a Member of the Board of Porsche AG. In 1999, he moved to Porsche France to work in sales network development, subsequently taking over as area manager for North America.

In 2000, as project manager, he oversaw the development of the sales and marketing areas relating to the new Porsche plant in Leipzig. After managing the customer centre at the Porsche plant, Zellmer became Head of Marketing at Porsche Germany in 2007. He then rose to the position of Chairman of the Board of Management in 2010.

Five years later, Zellmer joined Porsche Cars North America as President and CEO. He’s been in his current role since September 2020.