Head of Electrified Powertrain Systems Eder leaves Mercedes-Benz
Recent appointments at Mercedes-Benz concern the leadership level directly below the Group Executive Board, though some roles are particularly critical. Of notable significance to electromobility is the departure of Jörg Eder, Head of Electric Powertrain Systems. The engineer will leave Mercedes-Benz on 1 May 2026—’at his own request,’ as the company stated. No details have been provided about his reasons for leaving or his next career move. Eder had been responsible for electric drives since mid-2023.
A succession plan is already in place, which also introduces another change. Jörg Bartels will take over Eder’s role in the development of electrified powertrains. Bartels is currently President & CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC), the Chinese joint venture between the German carmaker and the Beijing Automotive Group. Jens Bühler, currently Head of Production Kecskemét and Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary, will succeed Bartels in his current position.
In the Research and Development division, Rosa Maria Conde Diez, currently Head of Corporate Research, Sustainability & RD Functions will assume responsibility for Body & Safety from 1 January 2026. She succeeds Thomas Hellmuth, who is leaving the company at the end of December at his own request. Ida Wolf, currently Head of Chief of Staff & Corporate Office, will take over Conde Diez’s role on 1 February 2026.
Yanni von Roy-Jiang will assume responsibility for Procurement and Supplier Quality from 1 January 2026, succeeding Gunnar Güthenke. “Until February 2026, Gunnar Güthenke and Yanni von Roy-Jiang will jointly ensure an orderly transition of the function Procurement and Supplier Quality. The company will provide further information on Gunnar Güthenke’s future role in due course,” Mercedes stated.
The most widely reported personnel change in the media involves the design department: long-serving Chief Designer Gorden Wagener will leave Mercedes-Benz at the end of January 2026 at his own request. Wagener has been responsible for Mercedes design since the late 1990s, with his first model being the SLR sports car. He also developed the design of the EQ models, which, particularly in the case of the EQS and EQE, has been cited as a contributing factor to their lacklustre success. Additionally, the recent design shift away from the ‘softened,’ aerodynamic look towards a more combustion-engine-like design, as seen in the new GLC, is attributed to Wagener. Bastian Baudy, currently Head of AMG Design, will take over his role on 1 February 2026.
“I look forward to working with the top executives who are now assuming new responsibilities in key positions at Mercedes-Benz. This further sharpens our shared focus on customer value, technological excellence and operational efficiency,” said Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius. “At the same time, strong personalities at Mercedes-Benz are taking new paths – leaders who have shaped the company and its products over many years. On behalf of the entire Board of Management, I would like to thank Gorden Wagener, Torsten Eder and Thomas Hellmuth for their outstanding contributions, their commitment and their loyalty to Mercedes-Benz. I wish them all the very best for the future.”
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