Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of Daimler AG and responsible for the Production and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, commented: 'Volker Stauch played a decisive role in not only shaping both the Untertürkheim site and our Powertrain Operations network, but also in determining their future direction and competitiveness in the long term. On behalf of the entire board, I would like to thank him most sincerely for his outstanding commitment, and also for the very significant contribution which he has made to the success of the company over many years. We also wish Volker Stauch all the very best as he enters into this new chapter in his life after more than three decades with Daimler.'

Mr Stauch will be succeeded by Peter Schabert, currently head of the Bremen plant, on 1 July, 2010.

A successor for Mr Schabert will be named shortly.