Dr. Joachim Schmidt (61), currently Head of Sales Central/Eastern Europe, Africa & Asia, will take over the position of Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars, including responsibility for sales companies around the world, as of October 1, 2009. He will replace Dr. Klaus Maier, who has decided not to extend his contract for personal reasons.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “As Head of Sales at Mercedes-Benz, Klaus Maier has made his mark in many ways. This applies to brand positioning as well as the realignment of the product portfolio towards a younger target group. In addition, Klaus Maier has initiated the reorganization of worldwide sales. I very much regret that Klaus Maier would now like to leave his position for personal reasons.”
The successor to Dr. Klaus Maier has more than 20 years of experience in the field of sales. Dr. Dieter Zetsche: “In Joachim Schmidt, we have a professional taking over sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars – an executive who knows the company better than most. It is largely thanks to him that the Mercedes-Benz brand grew at double-digit rates and extended its market leadership in the regions for which he was responsible in 2007 and 2008. I am delighted that we have gained him for this position.”
