On October 1, Martin Daum, who led both Daimler Truck North American and its European businesses through massive technological transitions, will step down as CEO of the truck maker. Karin Rådström, who led Mercedes Benz Trucks and has been with Daimler since 2021, will become Daimler’s first female CEO. Prior to Daimler, the Swedish-born Rådström spent 20 years with Scania, a highly profitable and beloved brand in Europe. She served as sales and marketing executive and SVP of buses and coaches.
“We are delighted to win Karin Rådström with her outstanding industry knowledge and leadership skills as the new CEO of Daimler Truck Holding AG,” stated Joe Kaeser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler Truck Holding. “She has proven that she is able to successfully advance the transformation of a brand while navigating a challenging external environment. As a true leader, Karin Rådström has been instrumental in establishing a new performance culture and fostering empowerment, diversity and customer focus. These principles are essential for Daimler Truck to master the transformation of mobility successfully and be our customers’ first choice.”
Rådström will stay in command of Mercedes-Benz Trucks until a successor is chosen.
Daum, who took the role in 2017 after about eight years in Portland, Oregon, heading Daimler Truck North America, will stay on the Board of Management until the end of the year, when his well-earned retirement can truly start. Daum turns 66 next month. He began working at Daimler in 1987.
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On the prolific outgoing CEO, Kaeser stated in a release:
“Personally, and on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Martin Daum for his commitment and outstanding results. He has been leading Daimler Truck’s transition from a conglomerate division into a successful DAX-listed company in a convincing manner. Thus, he led it through one of its most eventful times in recent history and has been the key architect of Daimler Truck’s economic success and international reputation. His dedication to the company, its customers and employees is remarkable. He is a ‘trucker’ with heart and soul. Martin Daum hands over a successful company which is well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
When he took over DTNA in 2009, Daum became responsible for Freightliner and Western Star, as well as Detroit Diesel, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Thomas Built Buses. Back then the U.S. trucking industry was mired in the Great Recession and just starting its transition to emissions systems. During his tenure, he oversaw improvements in the Cascadia line that culminated in the “New” Cascadia, a more fuel-efficient version of the Class 8 truck that began production just as he left for Stuttgart, Germany to run the global truck and bus business.
When he left DTNA in 2017, he told FleetOwner, a Fleet Maintenance affiliate, some wisdom that all trucking leaders would do well to remember to reach similar success: “We can’t be full of words and no deeds,” Daum said. “We have to develop products that make sense, that sell and make the world a better place.”
Under Daum’s leadership, Daimler Truck split from Mercedes Benz’ car division to forge its own path as the world seeks more sustainable transportation solutions. Daimler has pushed battery-electric trucks such as the e-Actros in Europe and eCascadia in North America, while also developing fuel cell electric vehicles. In 2021, Daimler launched a joint venture with Volvo called Cellcentric to develop heavy-duty fuel cell systems.
