Volvo Cars has named Klaus Zellmer as its next president and CEO, succeeding Håkan Samuelsson, who will step down next year, according to a statement cited by Chinese outlet D1EV. Zellmer, currently CEO of Volkswagen Group's Skoda brand, will formally take office on October 1, 2027.
The announcement was one of several international developments covered in D1EV's September 20 roundup, which also highlighted record Indian passenger car sales and new manufacturing moves by Chinese automakers abroad.
India's record August, GAC's Cambodia plant
India's domestic passenger car sales rose 36.5 percent year-on-year in August to 439,300 units, the highest ever for that month, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The surge underscores India's growing importance as an auto market, even as Chinese brands face tariff barriers there.
Separately, GAC Group's KD (knock-down) plant in Cambodia's Kampong Speu province began production, with the first locally assembled Trumpchi model rolling off the line. The factory marks GAC's shift from exporting complete vehicles to local manufacturing in Cambodia, a step the company called a landmark in China-Cambodia automotive cooperation.
Toyota's automation spend, Tesla's Optimus progress
Toyota expects to spend about 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) annually from 2028 to modernize its factories as it accelerates automation and robot deployment, the roundup reported. The investment signals how major automakers are preparing for a more automated manufacturing future.
Tesla is also preparing for mass production of its Optimus humanoid robot, with the main structure of a dedicated production line in Texas nearing completion, according to an observer cited by D1EV. The development is seen as a key breakthrough for Tesla's robotics business.
Other industry moves
In other news, Chinese autonomous delivery firm Jishi Intelligent said it received Belgium's official Y Test Plate, becoming the first and only RoboVan company in Europe to obtain the testing license. The company will evaluate its vehicle's autonomous driving capabilities, system performance and environmental adaptability under Belgian road and logistics conditions.
Japanese chipmaker Rohm's silicon carbide (SiC) power chips will be used in BMW's Neue Klasse electric vehicle architecture, improving drivetrain efficiency and range. US solid-state battery firm Factorial Energy signed a joint development agreement with Japan's Mitsui Mining & Smelting to industrialize its Solstice sulfide-based solid-state battery platform, with Mitsui contributing its A-SOLiD sulfide electrolyte technology. Factorial's shares rose 13 percent on the news.
Volkswagen Group will recall 208,724 vehicles in the US, including certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 models, due to a steering tie rod bolt defect that could cause loss of steering control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Finally, the International Energy Agency's 2026 Global EV Outlook, cited by D1EV, said Vietnam became Southeast Asia's largest electric vehicle market in 2025, with EVs accounting for nearly 40 percent of new car sales.
