Klaus Zellmer appointed new CEO of Skoda Auto
Klaus Zellmer, currently the VW board member looking after Sales, Marketing and After Sales – VW Passenger Cars, is set to replace Thomas Schäfer as the CEO of Skoda Auto. Starting 1st July 2022, Schäfer will take over as the Chairman, Board of Management, VW brand.
By Divyank K. Bansal
Starting 1st July 2022, Klaus Zellmer will replace Thomas Schäfer as the CEO of Skoda Auto.
Klaus Zellmer, currently the VW board member looking after Sales, Marketing and After Sales – VW Passenger Cars, is set to replace Thomas Schäfer as the CEO of Skoda Auto. Starting 1st July 2022, Schäfer will take over as the Chairman, Board of Management, VW brand and also move up to the Group Board of Management to become the head of the ‘Volume’ brand group.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Murat Aksel, Chairman, Skoda Auto Supervisory Board, said, 'I am delighted that we have been able to recruit one of our most high-profile managers to Skoda Auto. Klaus Zellmer has more than 20 years of 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 systematically advance Skoda Auto’s successful development.'
Zellmer 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.
In 2015, Zellmer joined Porsche Cars North America in Atlanta, USA, as President & CEO. Since 15th September 2020, Zellmer has been a member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand responsible for Sales, Marketing and After Sales.
Thanking Schäfer for his services, Murat Aksel also said, 'Thomas Schäfer has guided the company safely through two extremely challenging years...he has laid the foundations for a promising future for the Skoda 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.'
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