Mercedes-Benz USA will promote marketing chief Steve Cannon to president and CEO, effective January 1st. Cannon, 50, has been vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA since June 2007. He will replace Ernst Lieb, 56, who was fired abruptly in October for alleged misuse of company funds. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Cannon is only the second American to become CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, according to a company spokeswoman. The first was Mike Jackson, who is now CEO of AutoNation Inc.
Herbert Werner, 56, vice president of finance at Mercedes-Benz USA and the only German on the automaker’s U.S. executive team, has been serving as interim CEO.
Cannon will oversee responsibility for the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Sprinter and smart brands in the United States. He will report to Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Cannon began his automotive career in 1991 as executive assistant to the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz of North America.
He later relocated to the automaker’s global headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, and joined a small team assigned with the development, manufacturing and launch of the M-Class.
It was the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ever made in and for the U.S. market.
Dealers applauded Cannon’s appointment.
“We’re excited and we’re pleased,” said Michael Cantanucci, president of New Country Motor Car Group based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and chairman of the Mercedes-Benz dealer board.
Cantanucci said Cannon has “in-depth knowledge of Mercedes USA, the dealer body, the market and the products,” and “he has been part of the success.”
“It’s a good decision.”
