Smart Car's Renschler to Head Daimler Trucks

FRANKFURT, July 10, 2004; Reuters said that Der Spiegel reported on Saturday that DaimlerChrysler is set to appoint Andreas Renschler, now in charge of the "smart" compact car brand, as head of its trucks unit.

Renschler would succeed Eckhard Cordes, whom the company has now decided to name head of its luxury Mercedes Car Group, Der Spiegel said, without citing sources.

DaimlerChrysler's supervisory board will discuss the personnel changes on July 29, Der Spiegel said in an article released in advance of publication on Monday.

However, a spokesman for the company said that no decision has been taken.

German media have suggested that Cordes, who has won praise for turning around the loss-making trucks division, is the only candidate in the running to succeed outgoing Mercedes chief Juergen Hubbert.

Other top company officials have been mentioned in German media reports in recent weeks as candidates to replace Cordes, including Strategy chief Ruediger Grube and former Mitsubishi Motors manager Ulrich Walker.