DR.Z steps down as CEO

[kingjr9000]

Former AMG boss Ola Källenius will take over the company reins.
Daimler’s infamous man with the mustache will be exiting his role as CEO next year, paving the way for the company’s first non-German boss to pick up the reins. Dieter Zetsche will step aside following Daimler’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting next year, at which point Swedish-born Ola Källenius will take over as CEO and head of Daimler’s Board of Management.



Dr. Z won’t completely disappear, however. The shift in leadership comes with the announcement that Dr. Manfred Bischoff, chairman of Daimler's Supervisory Board, will leave the company once his term is up in 2021. Zetsche has been picked to be his replacement on that board, but before that can happen a two-year break from the company is required. So in essence, Zetsche will step down as CEO and chairman of the Management Board in 2019, take a two-year vacation, and return to Daimler as the head of the company’s Supervisory Board.

As for the incoming Daimler boss, Källenius currently sits on the Board of Management as the head of group research and Mercedes-Benz car development, a position he’s held since January 2015. Källenius is also a former head of AMG and has a history with the company dating back to the mid-1990s.

Is there a motive behind the shakeup? Daimler offers no such insight in its press release, but lingering fallout from Dieselgate and significant changes in the auto industry – not the least of which being the paradigm shift towards SUVs and mainstream electric vehicles – are making for sketchy times in the motoring business. Mercedes cuts its annual targets earlier this year, and there’s certainly pressure for the company to maintain its position as the number one luxury automaker in the world.

During Zetsche’s 12-year tenure as Daimler CEO, he oversaw the separation of the company from Chrysler and nixed Daimler's plans in the aviation world, using that money to further invest in Mercedes. His efforts saw the company top BMW in 2016 to become the top-selling luxury automaker, so he’s certainly had a heck of a run.
motor1

 

[Robbie]

A true legend. Not many executives can claim to have done what he has. All the best to Ola Kallenius.

 

[klier]

End of a very successful era.

But a Swede at the helm in Stuttgart I think is quite weird...

 

[sako97]

He just turned 65, so it’s about that time to pass the baton.

It’s remarkable how he turned Daimler around from it’s darkest moments (2000-06) to what it is now.

 

[Deleted member 25]

Board of Management and Supervisory Board, which one is the usual board ?

 

[A.P.]

Sad to see this legend go.

 

[Yaz]

Does he get an S65 as his retirement gift?

 

[Wunderkind]

Zetsche will be missed. He's a survivor. His career at Daimler could have ended when he was shifted to run Chrysler in the US, but he and Tom LaSorda turned Chrysler around and the Supervisory Board brought him back to Stuttgart (against Schrempp's wishes).

Until 2021.........................

 

[dtd]

Zetsche will be missed. He's a survivor. His career at Daimler could have ended when he was shifted to run Chrysler in the US, but he and Tom LaSorda turned Chrysler around and the Supervisory Board brought him back to Stuttgart (against Schrempp's wishes).

Until 2021.........................

I think Dr. Z is one of the best CEO for a German automaker. I like his style and his leadership.

 

[Der Hofmeister]

He will indeed be missed. We need to be honest and conclude the fact he managed a dramatical makeover for the brand and had a great impact in redefining it. He is the patriarch of modern Mercedes-Benz.

At the same time, I think that Ola Kaellenius is a very solidly prepared executive who will certainly grow the brand even further, in all respects. Most likely, he will have different visions in some aspects, but nonetheless he will continue to build on the successful legacy left by Dr. Z.

 

[LaArtist]

What he did for Mercedes earns him my respect forever.
He essentially made mb so good that I could talk shit to bmw fans, and this is my favorite thing to do in the world.

Words can’t describe how thankful I am. Imagine a world with Mercedes being what it was when he took over, and just continuing down the drain, imagine this forum. Imagine, bmw on top!
It’s a thing fit for the nastiest nightmares.

I have to puke

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

The three pillars of the success of MB in the last 10 years are:
1. Dr. Z's great management
2. BMW's weak management
3. AUDI's dieselgate

 

[mercpassion]

He will surely be missed by the MB fan base, since he has had a remarkable contribution to the brand..and that cool tash has become a trademark of his

 

[Wunderkind]

The three pillars of the success of MB in the last 10 years are:
1. Dr. Z's great management
2. BMW's weak management
3. AUDI's dieselgate

Scott would know more about what took place at BMW. But I think the drive to cut costs and two successive production expert CEO's (read: cost-cutting) in the last ten years has had an effect on BMW products.

 

[Centurion]

A true legend. Not many executives can claim to have done what he has. All the best to Ola Kallenius.

Dr.Z's achievements are monumental. Just to name a few:
1. Demerger from Chrysler.
2. Launch of the hip A and CLA to target millennial.
3. Acquisition of the Brawn F1 team and develop one of the most dominant F1 cars EVER!
4. Signing off a new G-Class as well as launching 4x4 and 6x6 variants ushering Mercedes into new heights of exclusivity.

 

[Deleted member 25]

The three pillars of the success of MB in the last 10 years are:
2. BMW's weak management

I must have missed something.

Dr.Z's achievements are monumental. Just to name a few:
2. Launch of the hip A and CLA to target millennial.
4. Signing off a new G-Class as well as launching 4x4 and 6x6 variants ushering Mercedes into new heights of exclusivity.

What is so monumental about these ?

 

[Centurion]

I must have missed something.

He has made brilliant strategic decisions and the brand hasn't suffered declining sales or scandals. Ask the board at Ford, VW or Mitsubishi if they are happy with the performance of their CEOs.

 

[chonkoa]

The three pillars of the success of MB in the last 10 years are:
1. Dr. Z's great management
2. BMW's weak management
3. AUDI's dieselgate

I will disagree with you on without using the negative "disagree" button.
Dr Z had a an excellent plan that was well executed:
- think F1
-think trucks
-think road vehicles
-think concept vehicles.
Under his leadership, was a bold, and dynamic vision that the company embraced and executed.

Now, I agree with you on BMW, as I would describe BMW to be run by a bunch of people running on limp-mode. I wish BMW had someone like Dr Z, and a board like daimler. As a BMW fan, it pains me sometimes.

With respect to Audi, to be frank with you, I haven't got a clue other than my perpetual erection for the R8- I hope that is not going to me censored.

 

[klier]

What is so monumental about these ?

Nothing, and point three (3) in between is nice for the fanboys. I doubt the shareholders are all that pleased with the money draining F1.

He has made brilliant strategic decisions and the brand hasn't suffered declining sales or scandals. Ask the board at Ford, VW or Mitsubishi if they are happy with the performance of their CEOs.

He was talking about BMW's supposed mismanagement.

Now, I agree with you on BMW, as I would describe BMW to be run by a bunch of people running on limp-mode.

Yeah, they're doing so poorly with record sales every quarter for God knows how long. More than a decade at least

 

[fortuner]

In my opinion he is a legend of Mercedes and deserves all his credit he gets.

He has almost everything we would dream of leading Mercedes from a very hard and tough time he took them back to the top.

He has the appeal when you look at him you want to see his press release or watch his speach he has that pull some CEO you want to sleep when you watch or listen to them.

Regarding F1 yes as sombody pointed out its expensive game but look at howmuch bigger and stronger it has made Mercedes among people for last 4 years people have been watching the silver arrows flying to victory I am sure that has earned them many customers and fans which is ultimately marketing all companies want. In Mercedes case they managed to get the marketing and earn trophies and dominance for previous 4 years this can only be positive for Mercedes as a brand.

Yes their must be few things behind the scenes that didn't work that we may not even know but I think under him and his Moustache lol Mercedes have grown as a group and as a Mercedes fan i can say he will be missed he has that aura about him..

Good luck to the new Ola if he can do better them Mercedes will be in a great place. As for Ola not being German I don't see it as a issue because it means he must be very good and have a lot of respect internally or he would not have got this job.