After former CEO Oliver Zipse’s long tenure, BMW gears up for a leadership shift and the next growth phase, with seasoned production chief Milan Nedeljković’s new role.
BMW Group has named Milan Nedeljković as its next chief executive officer (CEO), with the leadership change taking effect on 14 May 2026. The announcement follows a Supervisory Board decision, confirming that he will succeed Oliver Zipse, who retired after the company’s Annual General Meeting.
The board said Nedeljković was chosen for his strategic vision, decisive execution and entrepreneurial approach. It added that he enjoys strong confidence within the workforce.
Nedeljković is currently BMW’s head of production and has served on the Board of Management since 2019. He joined the company as a trainee in 1993. Over three decades, he has held operational roles, including senior positions at BMW’s plants in Leipzig and Munich, and a leadership stint at the Mini facility in Oxford. He also previously served as senior vice-president for corporate quality.
Supervisory Board Chair Dr Nicolas Peter said Nedeljković demonstrates disciplined resource management, both financially and environmentally. He described the incoming CEO as a leader with “clarity and focus” as BMW advances its long-term strategy.
Zipse steps down after more than 35 years at the company. He had been expected to retire in early 2024 at age 60, the typical superannuation age for board members. However, the Supervisory Board extended his term in 2023 to maintain stability during the development of BMW’s next-generation electric-vehicle architecture.
During his tenure, Zipse led BMW through the pandemic and oversaw the push into electrification. He championed the Neue Klasse platform, which the company calls its most significant strategic programme.
The first model on the platform, the iX3 electric SUV, debuted at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, with US deliveries planned for summer 2026.
Despite supporting BMW’s EV strategy, Zipse recently criticised the European Union’s proposed 2035 ban on new combustion-engine vehicle sales, calling for more flexibility in the transition.
