Mercedes-Benz has announced a significant leadership change in its North American operations, appointing Dimitris Psillakis as Head of Marketing and Sales, Mercedes-Benz Cars North America and Ceo Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA). Effective January 1, 2021, this strategic move signals a fresh chapter for the luxury automotive giant in a crucial market. Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Marketing and Sales, made the announcement, highlighting Psillakis’s extensive global experience and proven leadership. Psillakis will report directly to Seeger, and his appointment marks the end of Nicholas Speeks’s impressive 40-year tenure with Daimler, as Speeks departs to pursue new ventures. Atlanta, Georgia, will serve as Psillakis’s base of operations in this pivotal role.
Seeger voiced strong confidence in Psillakis, stating, “Dimitris is a proven leader who successfully expanded the growth of Mercedes-Benz in key markets around the world. I am confident Dimitris will continue to advance our North American operations during this time of unprecedented transformation.” Her statement underscores the high expectations placed on Psillakis to navigate the evolving automotive landscape and drive Mercedes-Benz’s continued success in North America. Seeger also expressed gratitude to Nicholas Speeks for his decades of service, acknowledging his “outstanding commitment and engagement around the globe” and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
In his capacity as CEO Mercedes-Benz USA and Head of Marketing and Sales for North America, Psillakis will hold comprehensive responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Cars across both the United States and Canada. This encompasses leading a substantial workforce of over 1,600 employees and collaborating with more than 380 dealer partners in the U.S., along with an additional 1,200 employees and nearly 60 authorized dealers in Canada. The breadth of this role highlights the scale of Mercedes-Benz’s operations in North America and the importance of Psillakis’s leadership in managing such a vast network. While transitioning into his new position, Psillakis will continue to serve as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada for the remainder of the year, ensuring a smooth handover. The announcement of his successor in the Canadian role is expected at a later date. In the interim, MBUSA’s VP of Marketing Drew J. Slaven will maintain his position as acting Head of Marketing and Sales, Mercedes-Benz Cars North America and CEO Mercedes-Benz USA, until Psillakis fully assumes his responsibilities.
Psillakis’s journey with Daimler AG began in 1992 as a management trainee at Mercedes-Benz Hellas (MBH) in Greece. His career trajectory within the company is marked by consistent advancement and achievement. He steadily climbed the ranks within the Greek subsidiary, ultimately achieving the position of General Manager of Passenger Cars in 2001. His international experience expanded significantly in 2009 when he moved to Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Ltda. There, as Managing Director for passenger cars in South America and Vans Sales Brazil, Psillakis demonstrated exceptional business acumen. Under his leadership, his team achieved a remarkable tripling of sales volume, propelling Mercedes-Benz to the coveted #1 market position in Brazil. Building on this success, Psillakis took on the role of President and CEO Mercedes-Benz Korea (MBK) in 2015. His tenure in South Korea was equally impressive, as he oversaw the market’s growth to become the 5th largest globally for Mercedes-Benz Cars, while simultaneously achieving top-tier ratings in customer satisfaction. This global track record underscores his capability to drive growth and enhance customer experience across diverse markets.
A native of Greece, Dimitris Psillakis brings a strong academic foundation to his leadership role, holding degrees from the University of Kent at Canterbury and The Imperial College Business School at the University of London, UK. His educational background, combined with his extensive practical experience, positions him well to lead Mercedes-Benz USA into a future of innovation and market leadership.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is the central hub for the distribution, marketing, and customer service of all Mercedes-Benz products throughout the United States. MBUSA boasts the most diverse product range in the luxury automotive sector, offering 15 distinct model lines, from the entry-level A-Class sedan to the flagship S-Class and the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GT R. MBUSA also manages the Mercedes-Benz Vans division in the U.S. For further details on MBUSA and its extensive product offerings, please visit www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com. Accredited journalists can access media resources at www.media.mbusa.com.
