On December 9, BMW Group made a significant announcement: Milan Nedeljković, presently overseeing production operations, is slated to assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Management from May 14, 2026, succeeding Oliver Zipse. Nedeljković's tenure will extend until 2031, a decision endorsed by the Supervisory Board of BMW Group.

BMW's leadership shift aligns with a broader trend of management overhauls in the European automotive sector. Over the past year, automotive giants including Stellantis, Renault, Volvo, and Porsche have all witnessed leadership transitions. Zipse's retirement, however, was part of a planned transition. In September 2023, his term was extended until 2026, pushing past the typical retirement age. The leader, who has steered BMW for seven years, will officially retire after the Annual General Meeting on May 13, 2026, marking the end of his 35-year tenure at BMW.

According to available information, Zipse joined BMW Group immediately after graduating from university in 1991. He ascended to the Board of Management in May 2015 and took charge of BMW in August 2019. His leadership has been marked by numerous challenges, including the pandemic, chip shortages, supply chain restructuring, and geopolitical volatility. Despite these hurdles, under Zipse's guidance, BMW has maintained financial robustness and operational stability, and has positioned the 'Neue Klasse' project as the cornerstone of its 2030 strategy.

Zipse is renowned in the industry as the 'multinational automaker leader with the strongest affinity for China,' having made four visits to the country alone in 2025. Under his stewardship, BMW has invested over 100 billion yuan to expand its Shenyang production base and has selected China as the production hub for its Neue Klasse models. According to plans, the first locally produced Neue Klasse model—the long-wheelbase version of the BMW iX3—will debut in China in 2026.

The incoming Chairman, 56-year-old Nedeljković, is a seasoned engineer and manager who has climbed the ranks within BMW's production system. He joined BMW as a production planning trainee in 1993 and has since dedicated 32 years to the company, holding pivotal positions in process engineering, factory planning, and quality management throughout his career.

Given the current landscape, BMW, which Nedeljković is poised to lead in 2026, is navigating the delicate balance between its illustrious past and the harsh realities of the present.

Financially, BMW Group reported revenue of €99.999 billion for the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a 5.6% year-on-year decline. The total pre-tax profit reached €8.056 billion, down 9.1% from the previous year. This downturn is primarily attributed to substantial R&D investments in electrification and capital expenditures such as factory renovations, which continue to eat into overall profit margins.

In terms of sales performance, BMW Group delivered a total of 1,795,894 vehicles in the first three quarters, marking a 2.4% year-on-year increase. Electric vehicle sales surged to 470,313 units, up 15.0% from the previous year, with purely electric vehicle sales reaching 323,447 units, a 10.0% increase.

Despite the overall sales growth, the Chinese market, BMW's largest single market globally, is grappling with severe challenges. In the first three quarters of 2025, BMW sold 464,971 vehicles in China, a 11.2% year-on-year decrease, making it the only market worldwide to experience negative growth.

Upon assuming office, Nedeljković will immediately confront fierce competition in the Chinese market. However, Zipse has candidly remarked, 'In the short term, at least in 2026 and 2027, BMW Group's sales in the Chinese market are unlikely to witness rapid growth.' This assessment sets a realistic expectation for Nedeljković as he takes the helm.