Baby Come Back: Wolfgang Bernhard returns to Daimler
Wolfgang Bernhard is coming back to Daimler. The man who helped facilitate the sale of Chrysler to Cerebus, was instrumental in the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar concept, and, most notably, the guy that drove the V10-powered Tomahawk motorcycle onto the stage at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, will take over the van division of Mercedes-Benz on April 1st.
Bernard's return to Daimler comes as a bit of shock, considering he was the assumed successor to Dieter Zetsche as the head of M-B before he left under duress after a ten-year stint with the automaker. Soon afterward, he took the top position at Volkswagen and was later ousted after some boardroom shenanigans involving Ferdinand Piech.
Recently, Bernard was reportedly working as an advisor to Magna International, but in these tumultuous times, we're sure Wolfgang was looking for a more steady position.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rboyett 1:19PM (2/10/2009)
Considering that Bernhard has a rep for cutting the fat and creating lean operations, I think Daimler employees had better watch their backs.
The guy is a talent. Daimler was stupid to force him out.
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Tool 4:45PM (2/10/2009)
This guy is a major talent. Major talent. He should be running something big.
It's too bad the myopic GM board didn't make him an offer to be their next CEO.
But then again, maybe they did . . . but Wolfgang Bernhard was smart enough to stay away from the cesspool of mediocrity and incrementalism that is known as Detroit.
AZZO45b 4:56PM (2/10/2009)
Tool:
Tell that to Chrysler/ Dodge/ & Jeep dealers trying to sell Wolfie's "major talent". The Caliber/ Compass twins. The Sebring & Avenger line ups. The last gen. Dakota (still stockpiled on dealer lots) I could go on...
Tell VW how they rate Wolfie's talent ... after he worked the Routan mini van deal during his short stint at that company.
Dr Z. & Mercedes can have him & his talent.
zamafir 1:27PM (2/10/2009)
"ME Four-Twelve supercar concept ...V10-powered Tomahawk"
So... what successful profit returning high volume production cars has he been responsible for? Chrysler needs to get back in the black not build a supercar or bike at a loss. They're not VW, they can't afford such a foolish adventure right now.
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dakota 1:45PM (2/10/2009)
Wolfgang is not returning to Chrysler. He's returning to Daimler to run their van business. It's clearly stated in the article.
And correction, the ME-Four-Twelve was a prototype, just never produced because the SLR team protested because Chrysler took a year to develop their car, and Mercedes took years.
zamafir 1:47PM (2/10/2009)
Thanks man, meant diamler, the more they continue to loose marketshare to BMW and Audi, and the more they continue to sell trash like the E class, the more I worry.
Chase 2:39PM (2/10/2009)
I think the new E-series is pretty nice. All of the newest AMG products float my boat too.
sledge 3:41PM (2/10/2009)
He was actually the guy who turned around AMG from another had-been to the path it's on today. Then he moved to Chrysler and as I recall he did pretty well there in increasing sales and getting decent product to market. I don't have the time to look but one of the first hits on Google is http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1009744,00.html talking about his initial successes at Chrysler.
AZZO45b 5:02PM (2/10/2009)
dakota: Chrysler's quality control issues & the fact that selling a 400K supercar made no freakin' business sense is what kept the ME Four Twelve a concept.
Another thing... would you really trust a Chrysler dealer to fix or service that same 400K super car. Ask Viper owners how they did with 90K image cars.
Smegley 1:24PM (2/10/2009)
Is "Cerebus" kinda like Cerberus but with a brain?
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Torrent 1:27PM (2/10/2009)
WOW. We hear about the Black Stig, and then this guy comes back. hmmm...
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hokieman09 1:53PM (2/10/2009)
Great because he did some much good for Chrysler before!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea right
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Suzanne 2:49PM (2/10/2009)
::sigh:: Damn that man is gorgeous.
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Judy Zik 3:01PM (2/10/2009)
My thoughts exactly. Bike? What Bike???
AZZO45b 5:08PM (2/10/2009)
You two ladies part of the old SE/ MI stable of mistresses Wolfie had while @ DCX??? Hopefully his wife got her side action
Those were the rumors around Auburn Hills anyway! :) :)
jv2k 4:17PM (2/10/2009)
That bike is amazing.
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