Daimler AG Names Martin Daum to Head Global Truck and Bus Unit
Daimler AG promoted Martin Daum to head of Daimler’s global truck and bus divisions effective March 1. Daum had been CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, a position he assumed in 2009.
Daimler AG is the world’s largest truck maker.
Under Daum’s successful tenure, DTNA’s market leading U.S. Class 8 trucks sales — including its Freightliner and Western Star brands — soared to 77,462 in 2016 from 29,576 units in 2009, an uncommonly weak year because of the Great Recession.
Daum succeeds Wolfgang Bernhard, who left voluntarily in mid-February.
A DTNA spokesman said there is no word yet as to who will succeed Daum in Portland, Oregon.
Daimler called Daum a very successful and experienced executive.
“He looks back on 20 years of experience in the industry and knows the cyclical commercial-vehicle business from all perspectives. We are convinced that he will successfully meet the upcoming challenges in the next years, continue along the successful path of Daimler Trucks & Buses and further strengthen their worldwide leading positions,” said Manfred Bischoff, chairman of the supervisory board of Daimler AG.
Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG, said Daum’s international management experience sets “the right course at the top of Daimler Trucks & Buses for the long term.”
The important commercial-vehicle business in the U.S. and in the North American Free Trade Agreement, or Nafta, region has developed very successfully under Daum’s leadership and is of key importance to the Daimler Group, the company said.
In addition to the two truck brands, DTNA also is the parent company of engine and component maker Detroit Diesel Corp., Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.
