Daimler Truck CEO Rådström takes over ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board Chair
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) will continue to be led by Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius as President in 2026. The Swedish-born executive, who serves the German automotive manufacturer, was elected in early December for another term as President in the coming year following his tenure in 2025.
Within ACEA, commercial vehicle topics are addressed in the ‘Commercial Vehicle Board’ – where there is now a change in leadership. As with the association as a whole, the commercial vehicle committee remains firmly in Swedish-German hands. Swedish national Christian Levin, President and CEO of Scania and the Traton Group, will step down as Chair at the turn of the year. Taking over from him is Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck.
The ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board comprises executives from member companies in the commercial vehicle sector, including the CEOs of DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania Group, and Volvo Group. This committee brings together the industry’s leading expertise in heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
In her statement, the incoming Chair Rådström immediately outlined the key priorities she will focus on in the coming year, citing ‘challenges that put our industry’s competitiveness at risk.’
“We fully support the EU’s goal to decarbonise transport,” said the Daimler Truck CEO. She highlighted that the industry is already capable of delivering dozens of different zero-emission truck and bus models in series production. “But substantial market uptake will only happen when our customers can operate zero-emission vehicles as seamlessly and profitably as conventional vehicles today,” Rådström stated. Her position aligns with that of MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp, who recently shared similar views in an electrive interview: “Our industry has delivered: we have done our homework and developed very good products. Unfortunately, implementing the promised framework conditions, for example, regarding charging infrastructure, is taking longer than perhaps expected.”
“That’s why we need an accelerated review of the heavy‑duty vehicle CO₂ legislation no later than mid‑2026. The Commission must take urgent action now to prevent manufacturers from having to pay penalties while the essential enabling conditions are simply not in place,” Rådström emphasised, echoing her MAN colleague. “The obligations for manufacturers must be aligned with the development of charging and hydrogen infrastructure networks and policy measures that support robust business cases for our customers, like CO2‑based road charges in all Member States.”
Rådström also stressed that there is no turning back due to the investments already made. “2026 has to be the year Europe turns challenges into progress, delivering pragmatic solutions that protect competitiveness while driving decarbonisation. Europe must quickly become our strong home market for zero‑emission technologies. Both the Commission and Member States must urgently streamline and simplify the regulation framework and accelerate the demand for zero‑emission vehicles,” said the Swedish executive.
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