Bosch appoints Christian Fischer as CEO effective July 1
Bosch announced on 26 June 2026 that Christian Fischer, currently deputy chief executive, will assume the position of chief executive of the world’s largest car‑parts supplier effective 1 July 2026, succeeding Stefan Hartung. Hartung, who has been a member of the board of management since 2013 and has served as chairman of the board from 1 January 2022, requested to leave the board following close consultation with shareholders. Although in October Bosch had extended Hartung’s employment contract for an additional five years, which would have kept him in the role until 2031, he will step down ahead of that term.
During his tenure Hartung guided Bosch through a challenging period that included a profit decline in the previous year. In April, he presented a plan aimed at improving margins through stricter cost control and increased investment in new technologies. The leadership change comes at a time when the broader auto‑parts supply sector faces renewed pressure from high input costs, weak demand and heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, which has raised risks to energy prices, supply‑chain stability and profit margins.
Bosch noted that Fischer has already contributed to the development of the group’s strategy in recent years, indicating that the transition is expected to provide continuity as the company implements the cost‑control and technology‑investment initiatives outlined by Hartung.