Daimler Truck Southern Africa announces their new President and Group CEO: Maretha Gerber.

• Maretha Gerber makes history as the first female President and Group CEO for Daimler Truck Southern Africa.
• Michael Dietz, current President and Group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa, takes on a new challenge as the President and CEO of Regional Centre Middle East and Africa.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Maretha Gerber as the new President and Group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA). Maretha, a born and bred South African, makes history by being the first female appointed in this role at DTSA. This transition follows the current President and Group CEO, Michael Dietz, taking on a new challenge as the President and CEO of Regional Centre Middle East and Africa. Both Maretha and Michael will start in their new roles, effective 1 April 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Maretha Gerber as the new President and Group CEO for DTSA and the second female on the Daimler Truck Overseas ExCom team. With her vast experience and excellent client rapport, we cannot think of anyone better for this position. Likewise, with 
his extensive knowledge and broad experience, we are pleased to have won Michael for the Regional Centre Middle East and Africa. We wish both Maretha and Michael all the best in their new roles.” Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Daimler Truck Overseas. 

“I am honored to be given this opportunity in the role of President and Group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa. I am excited to work with the experienced leadership team and talented employees at DTSA and to lead the group of companies to new heights. Together with our dealers and general distributors, we look forward to contributing to further growth and success and to build a brighter future for all stakeholders.” says Maretha Gerber about her new role. “I would like to express my gratitude to Michael for his major contributions to the company and wish him all the success and fulfilment in the new chapter of his career,” she concludes.

Michael Dietz, current President and Group CEO DTSA: “Congratulation Maretha. With your proven track record DTSA is left in very capable hands, may you thrive in your new role. As I leave the Southern Africa region behind, I thank our customers, the DTSA network and DTSA group of companies’ employees for an amazing four years. Together we had a lot of success. This amazing and unique country and its people, will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

More about Maretha Gerber and Michael Dietz:

Maretha Gerber

Maretha Gerber holds a degree in marketing and has more than twenty years’ experience within the Daimler organization, including previously Daimler Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz South Africa. She held various management roles across sales, marketing, and dealer network in these companies before moving to a Dealer Principal role in the Mercedes-Benz dealer network in Own Retail. In 2018 she moved back into Head Quarters as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and subsequently became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and FUSO Trucks, the position she currently holds.

Michael Dietz

After completing his studies, Michael Dietz joined the Daimler company in 1990 as sales executive. After numerous roles in sales, he was appointed as the Head of Key Account Management: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany in 2002. Two years later, in 2004, he took over as Director Government Business, Diplomats & Special Vehicles. In 2011 he was appointed the Global Head of Sales, Marketing & Services, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and thereafter Global Head of Marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks in 2015. Michael joined DTSA in January 2020 in his current capacity.

More information about Maretha Gerber’s successor will be shared in due course.

Media enquiries:
Jacqueline Fourie
Cell: 0796957485
e-mail: jacqueline.fourie@daimlertruck.com

Daimler Truck Southern Africa at a glance
Established in South Africa approximately 60 years ago, Daimler Truck Southern Africa together with its brands provide an optimal experience, expertise, and attractive products and services to its customers. The Company’s success is based on its strong brands inclusive of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses, FUSO Trucks in addition to offering parts and services for Freightliner and Western Star Trucks. Its comprehensive product range is backed by market-leading value-added services in Fleetboard, TruckStore, TruckTraining, and Daimler Trucks Financial Services. With a Southern African footprint that includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, the company is headquartered in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa, and all its products are assembled locally in its East London production plant.