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Dr. h. c. Wilhelm Kissel served as the first Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG from 1937 until his untimely death in 1942.
He played a pivotal role in the company's history, particularly in the merger between Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in 1924, which led to the formation of Daimler-Benz AG in 1926.
However, Kissel's tenure was marked by personal tragedy and the challenges of wartime production, ultimately leading to his suicide in July 1942, shortly after experiencing the loss of his son in the war and facing difficulties related to production decisions during World War II.
Dr. Wilhelm Haspel served as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz from 1942 to 1952, overseeing the development of several significant models during his tenure.
He is particularly notable for commissioning the Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupé from the W 187 model series, initially built for his wife, which marked the beginning of the luxury-class coupés from Mercedes-Benz.
Haspel's leadership at Mercedes-Benz was characterized by his focus on innovation and the development of high-end, luxury vehicles that would become synonymous with the brand.
Heinrich C. Wagner's tenure as Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz was brief but significant.
Appointed in 1952 following the sudden death of Wilhelm Haspel, Wagner brought his expertise in modern production methods from his previous position at Opel to establish the conditions for the series production of commercial vehicles at Mercedes-Benz.
Unfortunately, Wagner's time as Chairman was cut short by his own death in January 1953, less than a year after taking on the role.
Dr. Fritz Koenecke, a wartime synthetic-rubber expert, served as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz from 1953 to 1960.
During his tenure, Koenecke oversaw a period of significant growth and development for the company, with production levels increasing by nearly 25% compared to the company's peacetime peak in 1938.
His leadership was marked by advancements in production and innovation.
Dipl.-Ing. Walter Hitzinger had a distinguished career at Mercedes-Benz, serving as the Chairman of the Board of Management from 1961 to 1966.
During his tenure, Hitzinger significantly expanded Mercedes-Benz's market participation in the mid-range segment and was known for his visionary approach to innovation and sustainable corporate development.
His leadership was characterized by a focus on tailor-made solutions, fostering long-term customer relationships, and establishing a solid basis for cooperation with social benefits, including employee participation and the establishment of a spacious apprentice workshop.
Dr. Joachim Zahn served as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz from 1971 to 1979, overseeing a period of significant growth and expansion for the company despite taking over shortly before the 1973 oil crisis.
Under his leadership, Mercedes-Benz established Europe's largest truck factory at Wörth and experienced a doubling of passenger car production between 1967 and 1976, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9% during a decade when the overall growth rate of the German auto-industry was 2.3%.
Zahn's expertise in finance and taxation, combined with his ability to inspire affection and respect in colleagues, contributed to the company's profitable growth and the accumulation of substantial financial reserves during his tenure.
Dr. Gerhard Prinz served as the Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz from 1980 to 1983, overseeing a period of innovation and growth for the company.
During his tenure, Prinz was instrumental in Mercedes-Benz's venture into small-car design, which he described as the biggest step in the company's history.
His leadership was characterized by a strategic vision that contributed to the company's evolution, particularly in the development of passenger car models equipped with hybrid drives.
Prof. Dr. Werner Breitschwerdt served as Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz from 1983 to 1987, overseeing a period of significant growth and success for the company.
Under his leadership, worldwide sales increased by more than 60%, consolidated net income rose by almost 80%, and approximately 16,000 new jobs were created at Daimler-Benz AG.
Breitschwerdt's notable achievements include the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W 201) in 1982, which successfully brought Mercedes-Benz values to the middle-class segment, and his contributions to vehicle safety.
Dr. Edzard Reuter served as the CEO of Daimler-Benz from 1987 to 1995, during which time he was known for his commitment to an "open" corporate culture and focus on innovation.
However, his tenure was also marked by controversial decisions, such as acquiring ailing companies like AEG and Fokker Aviation BV, which were seen as disastrous and contributed to significant financial losses amounting to $8.2 billion in 1995.
Reuter's departure in 1994 marked a turning point for the company, leading to a new direction under new leadership that included workforce reductions and the introduction of new models like the M-Class to address the challenges faced during his time as CEO.
Prof. Dr. h. c. Jürgen E. Schrempp served as the CEO of Mercedes-Benz from 1995 to 2006, overseeing significant developments and strategic moves within the company.
One of his most notable decisions was the merger between Daimler-Benz and Chrysler in 1998, forming DaimlerChrysler AG, which aimed to expand the company's reach and presence in the automotive industry.
However, the merger ultimately faced challenges and ended in failure when Chrysler was sold in 2007, leading to controversy surrounding Schrempp's leadership despite his efforts to position Mercedes-Benz for growth and expansion in the global market.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche served as the CEO of Mercedes-Benz from 2006 to 2019, taking on the role of Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and succeeding Jürgen Schrempp.
During his tenure, Zetsche led Mercedes-Benz through a period of significant transformation, focusing on turning around a decade-long decline in product quality and customer satisfaction by implementing core changes within the company to enhance the brand's reputation and competitiveness.
His leadership was marked by strategic decisions, including the demerger of Daimler and Chrysler in 2007, which led to the formation of Daimler AG, and his efforts were recognized in various ways, such as being named in Time magazine's 2006 list of 100 most influential people.
Ola Källenius has been serving as the CEO of Mercedes-Benz since 2019, bringing with him a wealth of experience from various positions within the company, including head of Mercedes-Benz R&D division, where he focused on new propulsion technologies and connectivity solutions.
As CEO, Källenius has been instrumental in steering Mercedes-Benz towards a future centered around electric vehicles and digital technology, emphasizing the importance of innovation and mobility in the digital age.
His leadership has been characterized by a strong emphasis on refocusing Mercedes-Benz as a luxury and tech company, while also advocating for lower EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to promote competition and enhance the quality of European cars over time.
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