On January 1 2026, Dr Michael Leiters will take over as CEO of Porsche AG, stepping in for Dr Oliver Blume, who will focus exclusively on leading the parent company, Volkswagen Group.
Here are five key things to know about the change and why it matters:
1. He’s no stranger to Porsche’s DNA
Leiters previously worked at Porsche from 2000 to 2013, including roles as executive assistant to the CEO and heading the development of the Cayenne and Macan series. His deep familiarity with the brand gives him an immediate head start.
2. He brings leadership from other top luxury car makers.
From July 2022 to April 2025, he served as CEO of McLaren Automotive. Previously, from 2014 to 2019, he was CTO at Ferrari NV and helped launch its first hybrid models. This gives him both engineering and executive experience in high-performance markets.
3. He supports a hybrid-first strategy rather than “EV at all costs.
Under Blume, Porsche bet heavily on full electric vehicles. But sales in key markets like China are soft, and production costs are high. Leiters’ background in hybrid development aligns with Porsche’s shift toward plug-in hybrids and flexible drivetrains.
4. The company he inherits is under pressure.
Porsche’s sales in China fell by about 26 % in the first nine months of 2025 year-on-year. The operating margin dropped from around 18 % in 2022 to perhaps 2 % this year under the old CEO’s leadership.
5. Leiters will need to cut costs, invest in the future and restore profitability.
The timing and expectation are high. Blume will stay on through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. The supervisory board said Leiters has “decades of experience” and that together with the executive board, he has the board’s full confidence. But analysts caution: the job is a “poisoned chalice” given the scale of the challenge
Read more on Blume to quit Porsche CEO role amid investor pressure, shares fall 45% since IPO
