Karin Rådström first female CEO of Daimler Truck Group

The Daimler Truck Supervisory Board has appointed Karin Rådström, the current CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, as the new CEO of the entire Daimler Truck group. She succeeds Martin Daum, who leaves the company after 37 years of service. This is the first time in the company’s history that a woman has held the top spot.

Rådström has been part of Daimler Truck since 2021 when she became CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks after over 15 years of service at Scania. She held Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President positions as Head of Sales and marketing. She has led the launch of a range of battery-electric trucks, like the eActros 600.

First woman ever as CEO of Daimler Truck

Starting October 1st, 2024, she gets the chance as the first woman ever to lead the entire Daimler Truck group, including Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner, Western Star, Fuso, Detroit Diesel, and other truck & bus brands. Daimler Truck employs over 100,000 people globally and had a revenue of over 55 billion euros in 2023.

She succeeds Martin Daum, who has been with the company for 37 years. Daum transformed Daimler Truck from a conglomerate division to a separate, publicly listed company and spearheaded the transition to zero-emission drivetrains. To ensure a smooth handover, Daum will stay on the Board of Management until December 31st, 2024.

Daum bows out on a high

Both the Supervisory Board and Rådström are very grateful to Daum. “Personally, and on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I thank Martin Daum for his commitment and outstanding results. His dedication to the company, its customers, and its employees is remarkable. He is a ‘trucker’ with heart and soul. Martin Daum hands over a successful company that is well prepared for the challenges ahead,” says Joe Kaeser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler Truck Holding AG.

Rådström has taken to LinkedIn to thank her predecessor and mentor: “I’d also like to express my highest appreciation to Martin Daum, whose dedication and remarkable work has placed the company in a powerful position. Martin is one of the reasons I joined this company three and a half years ago, and I have learned a lot from him. Martin has been and will continue to be my trusted and supportive role model.”

Rådström will continue as CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks until a successor has been found. She has been appointed CEO of Daimler Truck until at least January 31st, 2029.