BMW production head Dr Milan Nedeljković to replace Oliver Zipse as chairman of the board in May 2026
Dr Nedeljković will officially take over as chairman on 14 May 2026, succeeding Oliver Zipse, who will be leaving the company after 35 years with BMW.
Dr Milan Nedeljković will take over from Oliver Zipse as BMW chairman in May 2026
BMW Group
Dr Nedeljković has been a member of the BMW’s board of
management since 2019 and is currently responsible for the production division. As part this role, he manages BMW's logistics operations – led by Dr Michael Nikolaides, senior vice president of production network, supply chain management and logistics at BMW. Dr Nedeljković has overseen the digitalisation
of BMW’s production plants in Debrecen, Hungary and Munich, Germany in line
with it ‘iFactory’ strategy for car production.
The iFactory concept focuses on artificial intelligence,
circular economy, autonomous transport systems and sustainable energy sources. Under
Dr Nedeljković’s leadership, BMW has taken advantage of technology such as digital
twins and smart robotics to drive efficiency
improvements, as well as flexibility and sustainability improvements, across
its production sites.
Speaking to Automotive
Logistics’ sister publication, Automotive
Manufacturing Solutions, earlier this year, Dr Nedeljković
described digitalisation as “the crucial enabler for the future”.
"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," said Dr Nicolas Peter, chairman of the supervisory board of
BMW.
He added: "Milan Nedeljković inspires people with
ideas, unites them behind shared values, and thereby motivates them to realise
peak performance. This is a crucial leadership quality to maintain the BMW
Group’s successful course in this time of transformation."
Dr Nedeljković will succeed current chairman Oliver Zipse,
who, in 2023, had his contract extended beyond the usual retirement age until
2026. His 35 years at BMW will conclude after BMW’s annual general meeting on
13 May, 2026 – at which point Dr Nedeljković will take up the mantle of
chairman.
“Oliver Zipse has made a significant contribution to the BMW
Group and deserves our sincere gratitude,” Dr Peter commented. “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.”
He continued: “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.”
It has not yet been announced who will replace Dr
Nedeljković as head of production on BMW’s board of management.
