BMW Appoints Milan Nedeljković As Its New CEO, Replacing Oliver Zipse

BMW’s Supervisory Board has announced that Milan Nedeljković will become the next Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of BMW AG, with the leadership transition taking effect on 14 May 2026, the day after the company’s Annual General Meeting. His term as CEO will run until 2031.

Nedeljković, 56, is a seasoned BMW executive with more than three decades of experience at the automaker. He joined the company in 1993 as a trainee and steadily advanced through a range of technical, operational, and managerial roles. Since 2019, he has served on BMW’s Board of Management as the head of Production, overseeing a global network of manufacturing plants.

During his tenure as production chief, Nedeljković played a central role in driving BMW’s transformation toward electric mobility. He has overseen preparations for the company’s next-generation electric lineup, including the launch of the all-electric Neue Klasse platform — a core pillar of BMW’s long-term EV strategy.

In its announcement, BMW’s Supervisory Board praised Nedeljković for his “strategic foresight, strong implementation skills, and entrepreneurial thinking,” noting his ability to balance financial and environmental priorities, foster cohesive leadership, and inspire high performance across teams.

The appointment marks the planned succession of outgoing CEO Oliver Zipse, who has led BMW since August 2019. Zipse guided the company through several turbulent years — including the COVID-19 pandemic — while setting the foundation for BMW’s accelerated shift toward electric vehicles.

Although his term was extended beyond the standard retirement age in 2023, the Supervisory Board maintained that a generational transition was always intended. Zipse will step down from the Board at the 2026 AGM on 13 May, concluding more than 35 years of service to the company.

The Supervisory Board thanked Zipse for his “significant contribution to the BMW Group,” highlighting his steady leadership during global crises and his advocacy for major strategic initiatives such as the Neue Klasse program.

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A Strategic Choice for BMW’s Future

Nedeljković’s appointment signals BMW’s commitment to operational excellence and disciplined execution as it scales up electric-vehicle production and navigates intensifying market pressures. As an engineer and production specialist deeply involved in EV planning, he is seen as the ideal candidate to steer the company through its next phase of industrial transformation.

The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the automotive sector, characterized by fierce global competition — particularly from Chinese manufacturers — tightening regulations, and increasing expectations for electrification.

Industry analysts note that the success of the Nedeljković era will depend on BMW’s ability to sustain its global momentum, strengthen its position in key markets such as China, and deliver a seamless EV transition without compromising the brand’s hallmark quality and premium identity.