In its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG appointed Ola Källenius (46) as member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development effective from January 1, 2017. He will succeed Professor Dr. Thomas Weber (61), who will leave the company when his contract expires on December 31, 2016 by mutual agreement and at his own request. He will continue to assist the company in an advisory capacity. Källenius is currently responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales in the Board of Management.
"Research and Development are two key fields in the automotive industry for maintaining a lasting top position. With Ola Källenius we are appointing an experienced board colleague with extensive expertise in the passenger car business as Board of Management member for Research & Development. At the same time, we are positioning the Board of Management to be younger and more international", said Manfred Bischoff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG. "With his sound business education and numerous technical positions within the group, Ola Källenius has the expertise required for anchoring and further expanding Daimler's position as technology leader."
Ola Källenius has been a member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG since January 1, 2015 and is responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. The Swedish-born manager joined the company in 1993 and has run through various stations within the group since that time. Prior to his appointment to the Board of Management of Daimler AG, he was Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH as well as President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., Tuscaloosa (USA).
"Thomas Weber has shaped Research & Development at Daimler, and primarily at Mercedes-Benz Cars, for more than thirteen years. During this period, he laid important foundations, has renewed the entire product portfolio of passenger cars, and has prepared the company for the future of mobility. He has thus played a major role in the present success of Mercedes-Benz Cars. We thank him very much for this", said Manfred Bischoff.
Professor Dr. Thomas Weber has been a member of the Board of Management since January 1, 2003 and has been responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development since January 2004.
