Mercedes-Benz: Strategic Direction for the Vans

Thomas Klein takes over the leadership of the van business at Mercedes-Benz, bringing with him an impressive career within the company. Previously serving as Vice President for Sales Planning and Product Management, he will succeed Mathias Geisen. Geisen will join the board, where he will be responsible for sales starting in March 2025. Klein's career with Mercedes-Benz began in 1999 at DaimlerChrysler. He started at the Düsseldorf plant and eventually advanced in various roles, including as a marketing specialist at the headquarters. His experience spans Germany, South Africa, and ultimately overseeing sales across 180 markets worldwide. In 2019, he became President and CEO of Sales & Marketing in Dubai, before taking over Mercedes-Benz Korea in 2021. Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Group, acknowledges Klein's contribution as extremely valuable. Källenius particularly highlights Klein's international market experience in the Middle East, South Africa, South Korea, and Germany. He praises Klein as a strong leader, strategic thinker, and entrepreneurial doer, optimally suited to lead the van business. In October 2024, Mercedes-Benz reported a 3% sales decline in the third quarter, mainly due to challenges in core markets such as Asia, Germany, and the USA. Nevertheless, the passenger car segments recorded a year-over-year increase, attributed to improved availability.