Fact | Description |
---|---|
Full Name | Ola Källenius |
Birthdate | June 11, 1969 |
Birthplace | Västervik, Sweden |
Education | Stockholm School of Economics (MBA) |
Languages | Swedish, English, German, French, Spanish |
Career | CEO of Daimler AG (2019-present) |
Previous Positions | Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars North America, Member of the Board of Management for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales |
Awards | Fortune World’s Greatest Leaders (2020), Financial Times European CEO of the Year (2020), TIME 100 most influential people (2021) |
Net Worth | $50 million (estimated) |
Interests | Motorsports, sustainable energy, classical music |
Family | Married with two children |
Ola Källenius is a Swedish-born businessman who has made a name for himself as the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, one of the world’s leading automotive brands. Born on June 11, 1969, in Västervik, Sweden, Källenius attended the Stockholm School of Economics and received a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Källenius joined Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, in 1993, starting his career as a trainee in the international management program. He then held various positions in sales and marketing, product management, and development, both in Germany and the United States. In 2015, he was appointed the head of Mercedes-Benz Cars North America, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s presence in the region.
In 2019, Källenius succeeded Dieter Zetsche as the CEO of Daimler AG and became the first non-German to lead the company. He has since focused on steering the company towards a more sustainable future, investing heavily in electric and hybrid vehicles, and pushing for a reduction in carbon emissions.
As the CEO of Daimler AG, Källenius receives a substantial salary and benefits package, which includes stock options and bonuses. In 2021, he reportedly earned a total compensation of €8.6 million ($10.3 million).
According to Forbes, Källenius has an estimated net worth of $50 million. However, it’s worth noting that his wealth is not solely derived from his salary as the CEO of Daimler AG. Källenius also owns properties in Sweden and Germany and has investments in various companies.
Despite his wealth, Källenius is known for his modest lifestyle and has been described as someone who is more interested in the success of his company than his personal wealth. He is married and has two children.
Year | Event |
---|---|
1969 | Ola Källenius is born on June 11 in Västervik, Sweden |
1993 | Källenius joins Daimler AG as a trainee in the international management program |
1995 | He becomes product manager for the Mercedes-Benz M-Class |
2000 | Källenius is appointed head of the Strategic Product Planning department |
2009 | He becomes CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH |
2015 | Källenius is appointed head of Mercedes-Benz Cars North America |
2017 | He becomes a member of the Board of Management for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales |
2019 | Källenius succeeds Dieter Zetsche as CEO of Daimler AG |
2020 | He is named Fortune World’s Greatest Leaders and Financial Times European CEO of the Year |
2021 | Källenius is named to TIME’s 100 most influential people list |
5 Interesting Facts about Ola Källenius:
- Källenius is fluent in five languages: Swedish, English, German, French, and Spanish.
- He is an avid motorsports fan and has competed in several historic car rallies, including the Mille Miglia and the Goodwood Revival.
- Källenius is a proponent of sustainable energy and has a personal collection of electric and hybrid vehicles.
- He is a trained pianist and enjoys playing classical music in his free time.
- Källenius is the first CEO of Daimler AG who has never worked as an engineer.
5 Quotes from Ola Källenius:
- “We want to be the leading sustainable luxury brand in the world.”
- “The biggest challenge facing the automotive industry is reducing carbon emissions and making mobility sustainable.”
- “We’re not just selling cars, we’re selling a dream, a lifestyle.”
- “Electric cars are not just the future, they’re the present. We have to embrace this technology.”
- “It’s not just about selling more cars, it’s about creating a better world for future generations.”