Continental appoints Christian Kötz as new CEO, replacing Nikolai Setzer
Nikolai Setzer (54) will step down from the Executive Board by mutual agreement on December 31, 2025, after more than 16 years as a board member and five years as CEO. " Together with the Executive Board team and all colleagues throughout the company, we will complete the realignment and continue the success story of our tire business”, commented Christian Kötz.
The Supervisory Board of Continental appointed Christian Kötz (55) as new CEO and chairman of the Executive Board effective January 1, 2026. Nikolai Setzer (54) will step down from the Executive Board by mutual agreement on December 31, 2025, after more than 16 years as a board member and five years as CEO.
Christian Kötz has held various roles in Continental’s tire business since 1996. He has been a member of the Executive Board since 2019 and previously led key areas within the Tires group sector, including the replacement business for passenger-car tires (EMEA), the original-equipment and commercial-vehicle-tire business units, as well as global R&D for passenger-car tires. His many years of close and trusted collaboration with Nikolai Setzer will help ensure a seamless transition.
Following the spin-off of Aumovio and the signing of the agreement to sell the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area, Continental’s transformation is well underway. Internal preparations for the sale of ContiTech, which is scheduled to take place in 2026, have also been largely completed. Continental generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.
The words spoken by newly-appointed CEO, Christian Kötz
“I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for its trust and am excited about this new responsibility. Continental has been my professional home for three decades. Together with the Executive Board team and all colleagues throughout the company, we will complete the realignment and continue the success story of our tire business”, commented the newly-appointed CEO, Christian Kötz.
“Nikolai Setzer has been instrumental in shaping Continental, realigning the organization and paving the way for three strong, independent companies. For this, he has the thanks of the entire Supervisory Board as well as my personal gratitude. With this handover, we are consolidating responsibility for the tire business, the realignment and the remaining tasks of the group functions in one role. Christian Kötz is one of the most distinguished managers in the global tire industry. With his extensive experience and passion for Continental, we firmly believe he is the right choice to lead the company successfully into the future”, added Wolfgang Reitzle, chairman of Continental’s Supervisory Board.
