Crisis as an opportunity: In the golden years, Daimler built up production capacities that are now superfluous. Ola Källenius has to act.
When Martin Daum (60) spoke to his executives on June 24th, the mood was irritable. 2019 was a lost year, Daimler's truck boss sums up via video conference, the goals were missed, and the corona break-in is now coming. The real message follows: Fixed costs would have to be reduced by 22 percent in Europe, which would require a 30 percent cut in management.
Why then nobody goes to the top level, asks a department head in the chat. You can't attach that to one person, replies Daum. "At most on me," quotes one participant. But he has a fresh confirmation from the supervisory board.
The tone is set. And not just with the trucks. "The mood is at its lowest point," says an affected car manager.
Group boss Ola Källenius (51) has announced in small groups that he will reduce the breakeven point by 10 to 15 percent and reduce costs accordingly, he has plant closings calculated worldwide. Daimler financiers report that around 30,000 jobs could be lost globally, including positions that have not been filled. "Källenius is serious," says a supervisory board. "He's going to do it now." The boss will present details of the savings program to the supervisory board at the end of July.
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