Joe Kaeser, the outgoing CEO of German engineering giant Siemens, who is a member of the Daimler supervisory board, could emerge as a candidate for the chairman role, sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Siemens’s ability to placate international shareholders, when its rival General Electric drew criticism for its conglomerate structure and underperforming assets, and Kaeser’s openness to Chinese investors, make him a suitable candidate.
Chinese investors Geely and BAIC control almost 20 percent of Daimler through direct stakes and share options.
Siemens declined to comment. Daimler also declined to comment on succession.