Daimler Trucks founds new technology division
In preparation for the split-up of Daimler AG, the truck division has announced a new organisational structure. Effective 1 July, all major technology and powertrain activities will be bundled into a new business unit, the Truck Technology Group (TT).
Daimler Truck AG, which is to be floated on the stock exchange as an independent company by the end of this year, wants to prepare its management and organisation for the new independence with this step.
The new TT is to be set up as a global competence centre for research, development and production for all future powertrain technologies (including battery and fuel cell). According to the Daimler announcement, Andreas Gorbach, who is already CEO of the fuel cell joint venture Cellentric with the Volvo Group, will be in charge. Gorbach will also be a member of the board of Daimler Truck AG.
In addition to the powertrains, the TT will also bundle the corresponding software, electrics/electronics and global purchasing. In this way, Daimler Truck wants to “not only make it possible to economically scale differentiating technologies through broad use in all regions, but also to leverage global synergies”.
In other words, new powertrains are to be developed in TT, which the product developers can then access. The new structure will also have a decisive impact on the development of the entire vehicle: In future, it will no longer be located in the central development department of Daimler Trucks & Buses, but will be assigned to the regions. The respective brands are to be given “decision-making authority and the necessary product development resources”. Freightliner in North America, Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Europe and Latin America and Fuso in Asia, for example, will be able to develop suitable models to meet customer demand.
“The new business structure gives Daimler Trucks & Buses the best of both worlds: Maximum customer proximity and entrepreneurship in our regions and maximum, focused engineering power for future technologies,” said Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck AG. Daum described Andreas Gorbach as the “perfect appointment” for the new board position. “Dr. Andreas Gorbach is a proven leader with broad experience in both conventional and zero-emission powertrains.”
Frank Reintjes, previously head of the Global Powertrain division, will advise Daum as “Senior Executive Advisor” for six months from July – after which he will retire.
As announced, a new Financial Services division is also being set up for Daimler Truck AG. Here, employees of Daimler Mobility AG will transfer to Daimler Truck AG in the run-up to the split. The financial services unit, headed by Stephan Unger, is to offer customers “customised financing, leasing and insurance solutions” and thus strengthen customer relations.
0 Comments