BMW AG announced that Dr. Ing. Milan Nedeljković will become the company’s next Chairman of the Board of Management, assuming the role on May 14, 2026. The decision was approved by the Supervisory Board following the launch phase of the Neue Klasse program, marking a pivotal leadership transition at a time when the company is navigating large-scale technological and operational transformation.
Nedeljković will succeed Oliver Zipse, who will step down from the Board of Management after the Annual General Meeting on May 13, 2026. Zipse has served on the Board for more than a decade and has been Chairman since 2019. His contract had previously been extended beyond the typical retirement age to ensure continuity for the automaker’s strategic initiatives, including the rollout of the Neue Klasse platform.
The Supervisory Board expressed appreciation for Zipse’s multi-decade tenure with the company, stating that he guided BMW through global volatility, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and played a central role in advancing its largest strategic project. The Board emphasized that his consistent leadership kept BMW focused through challenging periods and strengthened the company’s competitive position.
Nedeljković, who is currently responsible for BMW’s Production division, has served on the Board of Management since 2019 and brings extensive international experience. He joined BMW in 1993 as a trainee and went on to hold senior management positions at Plant Oxford, Plant Leipzig, Plant Munich, and Corporate Quality. His upcoming term as Chairman will extend through 2031. Internal leadership and employee representation groups expressed confidence in his appointment, noting his reputation for strategic clarity, resource stewardship, and the ability to unify teams around shared goals.
Representatives of BMW’s workforce also voiced strong support, emphasizing that Nedeljković enjoys broad trust across the organization and has maintained successful collaboration between management and the Works Council, a tradition they expect will continue under his leadership.
BMW enters this transition period amid continued global growth. In 2024, the automaker delivered 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide, generating €142.4 billion in revenue and €11.0 billion in profit before tax. The company employs more than 159,000 people and continues to pursue long-term sustainability initiatives across its supply chain, operations, and product lifecycle.
The appointment of Nedeljković signals BMW’s intent to advance its next-generation strategy while maintaining continuity in core leadership principles. His background in production, quality, and global operations positions him to oversee the company’s next phase of growth as it expands electrification, modernizes manufacturing, and strengthens its global footprint.
KEY QUOTES
“Milan Nedeljković convinces with his strategic foresight, strong implementation skills, and entrepreneurial thinking. He stands for very focused management of resources—whether financial or ecological. Milan Nedeljković inspires people with ideas, unites them behind shared values, and thereby motivates them to realize peak performance. This is a crucial leadership quality to maintain the BMW Group’s successful course in this time of transformation.”
“Oliver Zipse has made a significant contribution to the BMW Group and deserves our sincere gratitude. He has led BMW through global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and represents the Neue Klasse as the largest strategic project in the company’s history. Oliver Zipse has always prioritized BMW’s success. He consistently took a clear stance—even in the face of great external headwinds—and thus kept the company on track during turbulent times.”
Dr. Nicolas Peter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG
“Milan Nedeljković is held in high regard by and enjoys the trust of BMW’s workforce. Together with him, we look forward to continuing the long tradition of cooperative collaboration between the Works Council and corporate management as a foundation for our BMW success story.”
Dr. Martin Kimmich, Chairman of the Global Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board
