STUTTGART, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Group AG has revealed significant changes to its Board of Management, signaling a strategic rejuvenation and continued focus on the company’s transformative journey. As 2025 approaches, the contracts of esteemed board members Sabine Kohleisen, Renata Jungo Brüngger, and Hubertus Troska are set to expire, marking their retirement and the end of their impactful tenures. These individuals have been instrumental in shaping Mercedes-Benz over numerous years, contributing their expertise and dedication to the company’s success.
To ensure a seamless transition and inject fresh perspectives, Mercedes-Benz is appointing Mathias Geisen, Oliver Thöne, and Olaf Schick to the Board of Management. These appointments reflect a commitment to both rejuvenating the leadership team and propelling the consistent transformation of the company in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
Sabine Kohleisen, the current board member responsible for Human Relations (HR) and Labour Director, has requested not to extend her contract, which concludes at the end of November 2025. Demonstrating her commitment to the company’s forward momentum, she will step down from her mandate on April 30, 2025, facilitating a faster rejuvenation of the Board. Kohleisen has been a pivotal figure in driving personnel change and spearheading the profound transformation and digitalization of the HR department. Her initiatives have laid the groundwork for Mercedes-Benz to solidify its position as a premier employer in Germany, attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
Taking over the reins from Sabine Kohleisen will be Britta Seeger, the current board member for Marketing & Sales, effective May 1, 2025. Seeger’s proven track record in making crucial strategic decisions for global sales over the past years makes her an ideal candidate for this critical HR role. Her leadership has been characterized by a significant advancement in the digitalization of sales channels, a rejuvenation and realignment of the Mercedes-Benz brand, and a consistent focus on enhancing customer orientation. Prior to assuming her new HR responsibilities, Seeger will transition from her sales role and begin her induction into the position of board member for HR and Labour Director on March 1, 2025. This overlap period ensures a smooth handover and continuity in leadership.
Mathias Geisen, who currently heads Mercedes-Benz Vans, will be appointed to the Board of Management on February 1, 2025, and will assume leadership of the Marketing & Sales board division on March 1, 2025. Geisen’s tenure at Mercedes-Benz Vans has been marked by transforming the division into an exceptionally successful business unit. His entrepreneurial approach and strategic vision have been instrumental in shaping the future van portfolio, positioning Mercedes-Benz Vans for continued growth and innovation.
Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, expressed his gratitude and confidence in the leadership changes. “Sabine Kohleisen has excelled in her role as board member for Human Relations and Labour Director, making significant contributions to the company’s future-oriented decisions. We sincerely thank her for her successful work and her proactive approach to the Board’s new structure. We are equally delighted that Britta Seeger, with her eight years of success in Marketing & Sales, will undertake the vital role of board member for Human Relations and Labour Director. Her extensive experience and credibility will be invaluable in driving necessary changes within Mercedes-Benz, especially amidst the evolving global automotive industry. Furthermore, with Mathias Geisen, we are welcoming a highly skilled strategist and internationally experienced sales expert to the Board, who has already demonstrated his capabilities at Mercedes-Benz Vans. The Supervisory Board anticipates a fruitful collaboration with both Britta Seeger and Mathias Geisen.”
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, also acknowledged the departing and incoming board members. “Sabine Kohleisen’s clear, strategic, and approachable leadership has guided Mercedes-Benz employees and the HR division through significant transformations, including the spin-off of the truck division. She has been a highly valued and professional partner to all of us on the Board. We thank Sabine for her 34 years of service to Mercedes-Benz and wish her the very best for the future. Similarly, we extend our gratitude to Britta Seeger for her eight successful years leading Marketing & Sales. Her transformative leadership in reorganizing sales, digitalizing processes, and positioning our brand, always prioritizing customer needs, has been remarkable. I look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Britta in her new role.”
China remains a pivotal market for Mercedes-Benz, and Hubertus Troska’s contributions in this region have been substantial. As the company continues to expand its collaborations with local partners and technology leaders in China, Troska, initially planning to retire in 2025 from his role as board member for Greater China, will now transition to a new position as Board Member and General Authorised Representative of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for China, effective February 1, 2025. In this capacity, he will dedicate his expertise to navigating the complex transformation of the business system in China and ensuring a smooth transition for his successor in Mercedes-Benz’s highest-volume market until his retirement on July 31, 2025.
Oliver Thöne, currently head of Product Strategy and Steering, will succeed Hubertus Troska as board member for Greater China, starting on February 1, 2025. Thöne’s current role is central to vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz Cars, where he has successfully charted the course for the future product portfolio of the entire Mercedes-Benz Group through the 2030s. His strategic insight and understanding of the automotive landscape make him well-suited to lead operations in the crucial Chinese market.
Brudermüller commented on Troska’s legacy and Thöne’s appointment, stating, “Hubertus Troska’s career at Mercedes-Benz has been unique, and he stands as one of the most experienced European managers in China. Mercedes-Benz owes him a great deal for the market success in China over the past decade, which is a testament to his diligent leadership. With Oliver Thöne’s appointment, we are further strengthening and rejuvenating our Board of Management. Oliver Thöne is known for his strategic foresight, analytical clarity, and exceptional grasp of our complex business system. The Supervisory Board looks forward to collaborating with him.”
Källenius added, “Hubertus Troska epitomizes the overwhelming success of Mercedes-Benz in China. During his twelve years overseeing the Chinese market, he has more than tripled sales, significantly expanded local production and development capabilities, and cultivated an exceptionally capable team in China. His cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills have made him an invaluable ambassador for Mercedes-Benz in China and a highly respected partner to our local joint ventures. We are pleased that Hubertus will continue to contribute his expertise as Board Member and General Authorized Representative for China for several more months, and we sincerely thank him for his 36 years of successful service in various roles at Mercedes-Benz.”
After nearly a decade of impactful board membership, Renata Jungo Brüngger has decided to leave the company at her own request on October 31, 2025, shortly before her contract’s expiration. Her visionary leadership has been instrumental in developing and restructuring the governance approach at Mercedes-Benz, and she has played a significant role in systematically integrating sustainability into the corporate strategy. Together with her team, she has firmly established a compliance system that is deeply embedded and valued throughout the organization, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to ethical and responsible business practices.
Olaf Schick will succeed Renata Jungo Brüngger, commencing on October 1, 2025. Schick currently serves as a member of the Board of Management of Continental AG, responsible for Finance, Controlling, Integrity, and Law. His prior experience includes numerous successful roles at Mercedes-Benz, including Head of Finance & Controlling Greater China and Head of the Compliance department. His return to Mercedes-Benz brings valuable expertise in finance, governance, and compliance, aligning perfectly with the evolving needs of the company.
Brudermüller acknowledged Jungo Brüngger’s contributions and welcomed Schick’s return, stating, “Renata Jungo Brüngger’s skilled, visionary, and assertive legal expertise, combined with her resilience and consistent work ethic, will be greatly missed at Mercedes-Benz. The Supervisory Board expresses its sincere gratitude for her contributions to the company during challenging times. We are equally pleased to welcome Olaf Schick back to Mercedes-Benz to take over Renata Jungo Brüngger’s responsibilities. His extensive experience at both Mercedes-Benz and another DAX company makes him an ideal fit for the important Integrity, Governance, and Sustainability board division.”
Källenius echoed these sentiments, saying, “Renata Jungo Brüngger has shaped Mercedes-Benz for nearly ten years as a board member. Her extensive experience and steadfast guidance have been invaluable to many colleagues, especially in challenging situations. Her clear, analytical perspective and consistent advocacy for sustainability and good corporate governance have significantly influenced our future direction. We wish Renata all the very best.”
Mercedes-Benz Group at a glance
Mercedes-Benz Group AG stands as one of the world’s most successful automotive corporations. Its subsidiary, Mercedes-Benz AG, is a leading global provider of high-end passenger cars and premium vans. Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG specializes in a comprehensive suite of financial and mobility services, encompassing financing, leasing, vehicle subscription, rental, fleet management, insurance, innovative mobility solutions, digital payment platforms, and products and services related to electric vehicle charging.
The company’s legacy is rooted in the pioneering inventions of Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, who created the automobile in 1886. As a trailblazer in automotive engineering, Mercedes-Benz is driven by a commitment to shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable manner. The company’s strategic focus remains on developing innovative and environmentally conscious technologies, as well as crafting safe and superior vehicles that inspire and captivate. Mercedes-Benz is strategically investing in efficient powertrains and is charting a course toward an all-electric future, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable transportation.
Mercedes-Benz is actively pursuing a transformation into a fully electric and software-driven enterprise. Key initiatives include intelligent vehicle connectivity, autonomous driving technologies, and the development of new mobility concepts. The company is deeply committed to fulfilling its responsibility to society and the environment through these advancements.
Mercedes-Benz markets its vehicles and services across nearly every country globally and operates production facilities in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia, and Africa, showcasing its global reach and operational scale. In addition to the flagship Mercedes-Benz brand, recognized as the world’s most valuable luxury automotive brand (Interbrand study, Oct. 2024), the Mercedes-Benz Group portfolio includes Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, and the brands under Mercedes-Benz Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, and Athlon.
The Mercedes-Benz Group is publicly listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges under the ticker symbol MBG. In 2023, the Group employed approximately 166,000 individuals and sold around 2.5 million vehicles. The Group’s revenues reached €153.2 billion, with a Group EBIT of €19.7 billion, underscoring its strong financial performance and market leadership.
Forward-looking statements
This document includes forward-looking statements reflecting current perspectives on future events. Terms like “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” and similar expressions denote these forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: adverse global economic conditions, particularly in key markets; financial market instability; force majeure events such as natural disasters, pandemics, terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, and industrial accidents; currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in trade regulations and customs; evolving legal and regulatory landscapes, especially concerning vehicle emissions, fuel economy, safety, and ESG reporting; rising fuel, raw material, and energy costs; production disruptions due to material or energy shortages, labor actions, or supplier issues; shifts in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles or limited adoption of electric vehicles; product or service acceptance challenges; resale value declines; successful implementation of cost and efficiency measures; the outlook of companies with significant Mercedes-Benz equity stakes; successful strategic collaborations and joint ventures; resolutions of governmental inquiries and legal proceedings; and other risks detailed in the “Risk and Opportunity Report” in Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s Annual and Interim Reports. Should these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may significantly deviate from projected outcomes. Mercedes-Benz Group AG disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, which are based solely on the information available at the publication date.
Contacts
Willem Spelten, +49 (0)151 58624395, [email protected]
Johannes Leifert, +49 (0)176 30904735, [email protected]
Andrea Berg, +1 917 667 2391, [email protected]
