Since taking office as Daimler-Boss tries Ola Källenius (51) as a green visionary. The group should be climate neutral by 2039. It goes without saying that “electric first” applies to all models. But while the CEO is building a more modern future, part of his supervisory body looked rather yesterday.
The man who is largely responsible for this is control chief Manfred Bischoff (78). Even when he was old enough, the long-time Daimler manager stood for an era characterized by large cars with equally large combustion engines. In any case, it does not stand for new beginnings and new beginnings. He suggested his long-term companion and ex-CEO Dieter Zetsche (67) as his successor at an early stage. When this came in September under pressure from investors and the public announcedMany breathed a sigh of relief that there is no quick Daimler comeback for him.
Except for Bischoff. The decision put him in a mess. It evidently revealed what the chief controller had failed to do over the years: to transform the highest body in the group – namely as it would have been appropriate for the automotive industry: with digitization and mobility experts or specialists for new business models. Zetsche’s rejection also caught him unprepared.
In discussions, Daimler’s supervisory board often gave a weak picture. Only a few in the body are able to move to the top, judge those involved.
Siemens boss Joe Kaeser (63) would have believed most of the leadership. But it was particularly unpopular with employee representatives.
And ex-BASF boss Jürgen Hambrecht (74), also a potential candidate, is said to have indicated for a long time that he will soon let his office rest – which he is now does.
Tim Höttges (58), a good step in the right direction, would violate the Corporate Governance Code as Telekom boss.
In the end, Bischoff was only available to Bernd Pischetsrieder (72). The final solution. As a former VW and BMW boss, an old car veteran, certainly with merit, but not noticed in his past by visions.
As Toyota celebrated great success with his hybrid model Prius, the VW boss at the time described the cars as “a single catastrophe”. He preferred to rely on the diesel. And when it comes to electromobility, he treaded on the brakes rather than going ahead (“We don’t have to be first in electromobility”).
The fact that Pischetsrieder of all people is supposed to drive the transformation at Daimler seems as helpless as it is discouraged. But also without an alternative. Because Bischoff failed to arrange his succession in an orderly manner.