How Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is refocusing for an electric future

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Jun 21, 2022

Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, has transformed the luxury brand into a tech-focused leader in electric vehicles since taking the helm in 2019. He discusses the strategic shift away from conglomerate mergers to a more nimble, innovative approach. Källenius emphasizes how cars are now 'digital products' and reveals insights on the new EQS and EQE models. He also addresses the competitive landscape with rising gas prices and the importance of EV infrastructure, all while balancing luxury with cutting-edge technology.

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ANECDOTE

Simplified Title

Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, clarifies his title.
He simplifies his complex, formal German title to just "CEO of Mercedes-Benz".

INSIGHT

Reasons for the Split

Mercedes-Benz split from Daimler Trucks to gain speed and focus.
This separation allows faster decision-making and clearer focus on different customer groups.

INSIGHT

Unified Electric Future

Mercedes is transitioning to an all-electric future and won't split its ICE and EV divisions.
The company believes in a unified approach, with all teams focusing on the electric future.

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Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius became CEO in 2019 but has been working for Mercedes since 1993 in almost every part of the company. During that period, Mercedes spent time getting a lot bigger; the company famously merged with Chrysler for a time, forming a giant called DaimlerChrysler. But, over the past few years, it’s actually been getting much smaller and more focused. The Chrysler deal was undone and, just recently, Ola spun off the truck division into its own public company called Daimler Truck, leaving Mercedes-Benz to stand alone as a premium car brand.

Car companies are either consolidating into giant conglomerates like Stellantis or shrinking and focusing like Mercedes. A lot of that is driven by the huge shift to electric vehicles and then, on top of that, to cars essentially becoming rolling computers. You’ll hear Ola refer to cars as “digital products” a lot — and to Mercedes itself as a tech company. (Actually, he says it’s a luxury and tech company.)

Mercedes now has two new EVs, the EQS and the EQE, both of which have massive infotainment screens running Mercedes’ proprietary MBUX system, which even has its own voice assistant called Hey Mercedes. I had to ask Ola about Apple’s recent announcement that the next version of CarPlay would be able to take over every display in the car, including the instrument cluster. Apple showed a Mercedes logo on a slide during that presentation — so, is Ola ready to hand over his UI to Cupertino?

Let’s find out. Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz. Here we go.

Links:

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept car traveled over 1,000 km on a single charge

Mercedes-Benz unveils sporty, ultra-long-range vision EQXX electric concept car

The six-figure Mercedes-Benz EQS gets a 350-mile range rating

Daimler AG to rebrand as Mercedes-Benz on Feb. 1

Big automakers are breaking themselves apart to compete with Silicon Valley

Mercedes-Benz reveals an electric G-Wagen concept for the future

Transcript:

https://www.theverge.com/e/22936880

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today’s episode was produced by Creighton DeSimone and Jackie McDermott and it was edited by Callie Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Sr Audio Director is Andrew Marino and our Executive Producer is Eleanor Donovan.

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