The Supervisory Board of BMW AG has appointed Dr. Milan Nedeljković as the German automaker’s next Chief Executive Officer. Nedeljković, who currently oversees the production division, will officially take the helm on May 14, 2026. This date follows the company’s Annual General Meeting and marks the end of current CEO Oliver Zipse’s planned tenure.
The appointment signifies BMW’s commitment to internal succession. Nedeljković has enjoyed a long career with the BMW Group. He joined the company as a trainee in 1993, demonstrating deep institutional knowledge. His career path includes significant leadership roles. He has previously served as managing director for major BMW Group plants in Leipzig and Munich. He later led the Corporate Quality Division before joining the Management Board as the head of production in 2019.
Supervisory Board Chairman Dr. Nicolas Peter praised the incoming CEO. Peter noted that Nedeljković impressed the board with his strategic insight and strong ability to execute plans. He added that the new leader stands for a clear focus on resource management, covering both economic and environmental aspects. The board expressed confidence that Nedeljković possesses the crucial leadership qualities necessary to continue BMW’s successful trajectory through the ongoing industry transformation.
Nedeljković’s five-year contract extension places him in charge until 2031. His primary immediate task involves delivering the “Neue Klasse” platform successfully. This massive project represents BMW’s future generation of electric vehicles. The company is investing tens of billions of euros into this new architecture. Nedeljković has recently focused on preparing the global manufacturing network for the rollout. The first model, the iX3 SUV, is expected to launch in 2026. The shift to high-volume production will likely begin in earnest around 2027.
The departing CEO, Oliver Zipse, will conclude a successful 35-year career with the company. Zipse served on the Management Board for over ten years and acted as Chairman since August 2019. The Supervisory Board extended immense gratitude to Zipse. He successfully steered BMW through multiple global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Zipse championed the flexible product strategy that allowed BMW to continue building both electric and traditional combustion engine cars. His legacy rests on launching the Neue Klasse project, which represents the firm’s biggest future initiative.
Nedeljković’s background in production is a noteworthy trend for the German luxury manufacturer. He is the fourth consecutive BMW CEO to rise from the production chief role. This signals the critical importance of manufacturing and industrial excellence to the company’s core strategy. The new CEO has been a key driver in digitalizing BMW’s factory operations. This includes collaborating closely with American chipmaker Nvidia.
BMW’s workforce expressed strong support for the decision. Dr. Martin Kimmich, Chairman of the Global Works Council, stated that Nedeljković is highly regarded and trusted by employees. The appointment ensures the continuation of the cooperative relationship between labor and corporate management, a foundation for BMW’s consistent success. The transition is scheduled to be smooth, giving Nedeljković ample time to prepare for his new responsibilities next year.
