Kaellenius Confirmed as Daimler’s New R&D Chief

Daimler AG confirms that Ola Kaellenius, 46, will take over as head of group research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development on Jan. 1. He will succeed Thomas Weber, 61, who is leaving the company at the end of December.

Both moves were reported last week by the German newspaper Handelsblatt.

The Swedish-born Kaellenius, who joined Daimler’s management board a year ago, currently heads Mercedes-Benz sales and marketing. The board did not announce who will take his old job. He is considered a likely candidate to become CEO when Dieter Zetsche retires.