Mercedes-Benz has announced a significant leadership change in its North American operations, naming Dimitris Psillakis as the Head of Marketing and Sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars North America and the new CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA). Effective January 1, 2021, Psillakis steps into this critical role, reporting directly to Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Marketing and Sales. This strategic appointment signals Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to strengthening its position in the North American luxury automotive market.
Psillakis succeeds Nicholas Speeks, who concludes an illustrious 40-year tenure with Daimler AG to pursue new opportunities. The transition marks a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz in a region undergoing rapid transformation within the automotive industry. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Psillakis is poised to leverage his extensive global experience to drive Mercedes-Benz’s growth and innovation in the US and Canada.
Britta Seeger expressed strong confidence in Psillakis’s ability to lead Mercedes-Benz North America forward. “Dimitris is a proven leader with a remarkable track record of expanding Mercedes-Benz’s presence in key markets worldwide,” stated Seeger. “We are confident that his expertise will be invaluable in advancing our North American operations, especially during this period of unprecedented change in the automotive landscape. We extend our sincere gratitude to Nick Speeks for his exceptional dedication and contributions over the past four decades and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
In his expanded capacity, Psillakis will oversee all aspects of Mercedes-Benz Cars in both the United States and Canada. This encompasses leading a substantial workforce of over 1,600 employees within MBUSA and managing a vast network of more than 380 dealer partners across the United States. Furthermore, he will also be responsible for approximately 1,200 employees and nearly 60 authorized dealers in Canada. While assuming this new role, Psillakis will continue to serve as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada for the remainder of the current year, ensuring a smooth handover and continued operational stability. The announcement regarding his successor in the Canadian role is expected at a later date. In the interim, Drew J. Slaven, MBUSA’s VP of Marketing, will continue to act as Head of Marketing and Sales, Mercedes-Benz Cars North America and CEO of MBUSA.
Psillakis brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having joined Daimler AG in 1992. Starting as a management trainee with Mercedes-Benz Hellas (MBH) in Greece, he steadily climbed the corporate ladder, demonstrating exceptional leadership and business acumen. His progression culminated in his appointment as General Manager of Passenger Cars for the Greek subsidiary in 2001. In 2009, Psillakis took on a new challenge as Managing Director for Passenger Cars in South America and Vans Sales Brazil at Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Ltda. During his six-year tenure in Brazil, his strategic direction and leadership led to a remarkable tripling of sales volume, propelling Mercedes-Benz to the number one position in the Brazilian market. In 2015, Psillakis was appointed President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea (MBK). His leadership in South Korea was equally transformative, elevating the market to become the 5th largest globally for Mercedes-Benz Cars, while simultaneously achieving top-tier ratings in customer satisfaction. These achievements underscore his capability to drive growth and enhance customer experience in diverse and competitive markets.
A native of Greece, Dimitris Psillakis holds academic degrees from the University of Kent at Canterbury and The Imperial College Business School at the University of London in the UK. His educational background, combined with his extensive international experience within Mercedes-Benz, positions him ideally to lead the company’s North American operations into a future defined by innovation and customer-centric strategies.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is the distribution, marketing and customer service division for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA provides American drivers with a comprehensive luxury vehicle portfolio, encompassing 15 model lines, from the entry-level A-Class sedan to the flagship S-Class and high-performance Mercedes-AMG GT R. MBUSA also manages the Mercedes-Benz Vans business in the U.S., further solidifying its presence in the commercial vehicle sector. More information about Mercedes-Benz USA and its product offerings can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com. For media inquiries, accredited journalists can access the Mercedes-Benz media site at www.media.mbusa.com.
