Dieter Zetsche, 65, will be replaced by Ola Kaellenius, a 49-year-old Swede, as chief executive in a succession plan announced on Wednesday.
The moves come as Daimler and the German car industry grapple with the fallout from the diesel emissions cheating scandal.
It is also striving to adapt to the new era of electric and self-driving cars.
Mr Kaellenius, who often wears jeans and trainers and attends tech conferences, will be the first Daimler boss without a mechanical engineering background.
After studying finance and accounting at a Swiss university and international management at the Stockholm School of Economics, Mr Kaellenius joined Daimler in 1993.
He has introduced Silicon Valley management techniques at the carmaker, breaking down hierarchies and encouraging a more experimental approach to developing new products.
The Swede, who oversees Daimler's research and development division, has also worked in the company's British and American operations as well as the Stuttgart headquarters.
Daimler chairman Manfred Boschoff said Mr Kaellenius was a "recognised, internationally experienced and successful Daimler executive".
No comments: