Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler gets first non-German boss
Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler gets first non-German boss
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Dieter Zetsche has run Daimler since 2006
Daimler, the German car maker that owns Mercedes-Benz, will be run by a non-German for the first time next year.
Dieter Zetsche, 65, will be replaced by Ola Kaellenius, a 49-year-old Swede, as chief executive in a succession plan announced on Wednesday.
The moves come as Daimler and the German car industry grapple with the fallout from the diesel emissions cheating scandal.
Mr Zetsche will step down from the role he has held since 2006 in late 2019.
He will become chairman from 2021 if Daimler shareholders give their approval.
Daimler chairman Manfred Boschoff said appointing Mr Zetsche as chairman would ensure “continuity for the sustained success of Daimler”, adding: “In Ola Kaellenius, we are appointing a recognised, internationally experienced and successful Daimler executive.”
The Swede, who oversees Daimler’s research and development division, has been with the company since 1993 and worked in its British and American operations as well as the Stuttgart headquarters.
Shares in Daimler fell 1.8% in Frankfurt following the announcement.
Last week it emerged that Daimler and rival German carmakers BMW and Volkswagen will face an EU inquiry for allegedly conspiring to restrict diesel emissions treatment systems.
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Ola Kaellenius will become Daimler boss from December 2019
The European Commission said it was investigating whether they agreed to limit the development of systems to reduce harmful emissions.
The announcement followed raids of the companies’ offices last year.
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