Canada’s Patterson named to lead Freightliner LLC

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STUTTGART, Germany — Canadian Chris Patterson is taking over the reins of Freightliner LLC.

The 50-year-old Patterson who has held senior positions with Freightliner in the U.S. and Canada as well as Canadian Kenworth and Volvo Trucks North America moves up from his current position of senior vice president, service and parts at Freightliner LLC to replace Rainer E. Schmueckle as president and CEO. He will also hold the title of head of Business Unit Trucks NAFTA (Freightliner, Sterling, Thomas Built Buses) within the Commercial Vehicles Division of DaimlerChrysler AG.

Patterson will assume his new duties April 15.

Schmueckle, 45, who managed North America’s Class market share leader following the departure of the well known but controversial Jim Hebe, has been made Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes Car Group, effective as of April 15, 2005. In this position he will be responsible for the functional divisions of production, procurement and information technology within the Mercedes Car Group.

An important aspect of the CORE mobilization program is the consistent implementation of measures designed to return the Mercedes Car Group to an operating margin of 7%. As part of his new function, Schmueckle will therefore oversee the thorough implementation of these measures as part of the CORE program. Schmueckle has often demonstrated his competence in implementing such programs in the past.

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