TL;DR
BMW AG Chairman Oliver Zipse was awarded 2026 World Car Person of the Year for his transformative leadership, especially with the Neue Klasse vehicles.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of BMW AG, has been named the 2026 World Car Person of the Year by the World Car Finals, powered by Brembo. This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional leadership in guiding BMW through a transformative period, particularly with the introduction of the brand's pioneering Neue Klasse generation of vehicles.
Zipse's tenure, which began in August 2019, has been marked by strategic initiatives focused on electrification and digital innovation. The jury, comprising 98 international automotive journalists from 33 countries, acknowledged his significant contributions to the global automotive industry over the past year.
