On December 9, 2025, the BMW Supervisory Board officially announced that Milan Nedeljković, the previous board member responsible for production, will become the new CEO of the BMW Group, replacing Oliver Zipse. The change will come into effect on May 14, 2026.
At 56, Nedeljković brings more than three decades of extensive institutional experience at BMW to the role. He joined the company as a trainee in 1993 and steadily rose through the ranks in various technical and management positions. His new CEO contract runs until 2031, signaling the long-term confidence of the Supervisory Board.
From student to plant expert – training and career entry
- Nedeljković studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen in Germany between 1988 and 1993 and spent time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- He then received his doctorate in engineering sciences in 2004 with a focus on forming technology and foundry technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
- In 1993, straight after his studies, he started as a trainee at BMW’s Munich factory, beginning a steady climb up BMW’s production and management hierarchy.
Important milestones: Roles at BMW 1993–2019
Nedeljković’s rise reflects extensive experience with BMW’s manufacturing infrastructure – from press shops and body shops to entire factory management.
- 1994–1999: Early planning functions in body construction and press shop – mastering the basics of body production.
- 1999–2006: Management tasks in the Munich and Regensburg plants – strengthening operational and management skills.
- 2006-2010: Head of Painted Body (paint shop) at the MINI Oxford plant – a role that combines technical know-how with ensuring brand quality.
- 2010–2013: Assembly manager, then site manager at the BMW plant in Leipzig – monitoring important phases of vehicle assembly and site operations.
- 2015–2018: Plant manager at the BMW plant in Munich – one of the company’s most important production locations.
- 2018-2019: Head of Corporate Quality – responsible for quality assurance across BMW’s global manufacturing network.
- Since October 2019: Member of the Board of Directors responsible for Production – leading the company’s global production activities across multiple plants and countries.
Production Manager – Steering BMW towards electrification and “New Class”.
When Nedeljković took over production management in 2019, the automotive industry was already rapidly moving towards electrification. Under his leadership, BMW has begun to retool and reorganize its production sites to adapt to this new reality. The company will give us a glimpse next year when the new BMW Munich plant opens its doors to the next generation of electric vehicles.
Key elements of his tenure as production manager:
- Overseeing the global production network (around 31 production sites in around 15 countries and tens of thousands of employees) with a focus on adaptability, quality and efficiency.
- Leading the transition to electric mobility, with a particular focus on the upcoming all-electric “Neue Klasse” – BMW’s next generation of the Electric-First model family. His appointment as CEO is widely seen as a bet on his ability to deliver that transformation.
- Working on reallocation and restructuring of production facilities – focusing internal combustion engine (ICE) production on selected sites (e.g. some sites such as Steyr and Hams Hall), while converting other plants to electric vehicle and “Neue Klasse” production.
Industry commentators point out that his combination of operational expertise, technical background and long service at BMW makes him well-suited to lead the company through one of the most disruptive periods in the history of the automotive industry – at a time when Western automakers face strong competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers, regulatory pressures and rapid technological changes.
The BMW Supervisory Board’s decision to promote Nedeljković – instead of bringing in an external “visionary” – speaks volumes about the company’s priorities from the end of 2025. According to the board, “he impresses with strategic vision, strong implementation skills, entrepreneurial thinking” and “inspires people with ideas, unites them behind common values and motivates them to achieve top performance.”
By choosing a CEO with extensive operational and production experience, BMW appears to be doubling down on its execution: increasing production of electric vehicles, ensuring quality and cost discipline, and delivering on the promise of the “New Class” – all while navigating macroeconomic headwinds such as increased tariffs, uncertain global demand, and increasing competition.
Charisma, technical credibility and leadership you can see
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet Nedeljković several times at interviews and presentations – most recently at the opening of the group’s new “iFACTORY”-era factory in Debrecen, Hungary. Personally, he comes across as a charismatic leader: articulate, technically skilled and able to explain complex production and electrification strategies clearly and pragmatically.
Given the scale and complexity of BMW’s transformation, this combination of technical credibility and leadership presence could prove crucial. We wish him good luck in his new role!
