Daimler Truck with New Board Members Heading Towards Independence

In preparation for the planned spin-off and independent listing at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange later in 2021: Daimler Truck AG makes important changes to its management structure. Andreas Gorbach, currently CEO of the fuel cell joint venture cellcentric, will lead the Truck Technology Group on the board of Daimler Truck AG. The new board department for tailored financial services for customers will be headed by Stephan Unger.

(Stuttgart) In preparation for the planned spin-off from Daimler AG and an independent listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange later in 2021, Daimler Truck AG announces the composition of its new board and a series of significant organizational changes that are set to take effect on July 1, 2021. With this, Daimler Truck AG aims to increase its efficiency, accelerate decision-making processes, and better meet customer needs worldwide.

More Entrepreneurial Responsibility for Business Areas in Each Region

To accelerate the pace of technological development and better meet customer needs in individual regions, Daimler Truck AG has decided to realign its business structure. This means that the operational units and brands operating globally in the key sales regions of North America (Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses), Europe & Latin America (Mercedes-Benz Trucks), and Asia (FUSO & BharatBenz) will receive more entrepreneurial independence and leeway in the future.

In the future, decision-making authority and necessary resources for product development will lie with the respective Daimler Truck brands in the regions. Chief Engineer functions for overall vehicle development, which have so far been structurally anchored mostly in the central development of Daimler Trucks & Buses, will be assigned to the regions. Vehicle brands such as Freightliner in North America, Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Europe and Latin America, and FUSO in Asia will thus be able to offer the best possible product and service offerings for their customers.

New Board Position – Head of the Truck Technology Group

With the megatrends of CO₂-neutral transport, software, and connectivity, Daimler Truck AG has been driving the transformation of the industry for years. The company has focused on developing the right solutions for these trends – whether it be the world premieres of battery-powered eTrucks in the light, medium, and heavy segments, the recently introduced hydrogen truck for long distances, the Mercedes-Benz GenH2, or the autonomous Future Truck 2025.

In light of the increasing pace towards CO₂-neutral transport and the rapid development of software and connectivity, Daimler Truck AG is consolidating all essential technology and powertrain activities into a business unit, the Truck Technology Group (TT). Under the leadership of Dr. Andreas Gorbach (45), a global competence center for research, development, and production scopes for all future technologies for the powertrain (combustion engine, battery, and fuel cell) will be established. Additionally, TT will be responsible for vehicle software, electrical/electronics, and global purchasing. These measures will not only allow for differentiating technologies to be economically scaled through broad utilization in all regions but also to leverage global synergies.

“With the new business structure, Daimler Trucks & Buses achieves the best of both worlds: maximum customer proximity and entrepreneurship on-site in the regions and maximum central impact in future technologies,” says Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck AG.

Proven Leadership Personality

Martin Daum adds: “Dr. Andreas Gorbach is a proven leader with diverse experience in both conventional and emissions-free powertrains. He is the perfect fit for the new board position of the Truck Technology Group. Currently, Dr. Gorbach leads the fuel cell joint venture cellcentric with the Volvo Group as CEO and has played a significant role in advancing the series maturity of hydrogen propulsion for Daimler Truck AG.”

Sven Ennerst, who was previously responsible for development, purchasing, and the China region, will focus entirely on the company’s success in China as General Representative for China until the end of the year. Dr. Frank Reintjes, who was previously responsible for the Global Powertrain business unit, will accompany the realignment of Daimler Truck AG as Senior Executive Advisor to the CEO of Daimler Truck AG until the end of the year. Both colleagues will retire at the end of the year.

Martin Daum emphasizes: “I would like to sincerely thank my two highly valued colleagues Sven Ennerst and Frank Reintjes for their extraordinary commitment and contribution to Daimler Truck AG. Both have significantly shaped their respective areas of responsibility over decades. Frank Reintjes in creating a high-performance global powertrain unit. Sven Ennerst in creating a global product portfolio with industry-leading technology in safety and efficiency. Both have made significant contributions to our successes in their respective areas.”

Financial Services for Daimler Truck & Bus Customers

An additional step towards greater customer orientation is the establishment of a new in-house financial services unit for Daimler Truck AG. The new subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG is intended to specifically support the sales of the world’s largest truck and bus manufacturer with tailored financing, leasing, and insurance solutions and strengthen customer relationships. The colleagues of the future Daimler Truck Financial Services organization will transition from Daimler Mobility AG to the new company ahead of the spin-off and stock exchange listing and will become part of the global Daimler Truck family. The leadership of this new in-house financial services unit will be taken over by Stephan Unger (54) starting July 1, 2021. In this role, Stephan Unger will become a member of the board of Daimler Truck AG from that date.

Stephan Unger (© Daimler Truck)

Stephan Unger has been on the board of Daimler Mobility AG since 2012, previously responsible for finance & controlling, risk management, and digital mobility solutions. His career has taken him through various leadership positions in finance & controlling, including at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan, which was then part of DaimlerChrysler AG, and at Mercedes-AMG GmbH. In 2020, Stephan Unger additionally took on responsibility for managing investments in the area of digital mobility services.

Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck AG: “I am very pleased that we were able to win Stephan Unger as a board member for the new Daimler Truck Financial Services unit. He brings extensive international leadership experience in both the financial services industry and the truck business. With an in-house financial services unit, we will have a strong partner by our side who will offer our customers attractive leasing, financing, and insurance products, thus optimally complementing our market presence. We warmly welcome Stephan Unger and his future team to Daimler Trucks & Buses.”

This is what the board of Daimler Truck AG looks like

Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum leads the company with a board team that has all the prerequisites to align the future independent Daimler Truck AG for the future. Karin Rådström is responsible for the regions of Europe and Latin America and the Mercedes-Benz Trucks brand. John O’Leary is responsible for the North America region and the Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses brands as CEO of Daimler Trucks North America. Hartmut Schick is responsible for the Asia region and the FUSO and BharatBenz brands as CEO of Daimler Trucks Asia. Dr. Andreas Gorbach will lead the Truck Technology Group in the future. Stephan Unger will be responsible for the future Daimler Truck Financial Services on the board. Jochen Götz is responsible for finance and controlling. Jürgen Hartwig is responsible for the HR department.

Title photo: © Daimler Truck / Image caption: Dr. Andreas Gorbach (45), responsible for the Truck Technology Group (TT) on the board of Daimler Truck AG from July 1