Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO Daniel Whitehead will leave the company at the end of 2026, bringing a 30-year career with Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz to a close.
Whitehead has spent the past 12 years leading Daimler Truck Australia Pacific, following a career that also included a decade working in China.
During his tenure, Daimler Truck has grown its presence across Australia and New Zealand through its Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Fuso and Freightliner brands.
His period at the helm has also coincided with significant renewal of the company’s heavy vehicle range.
The new-generation Mercedes-Benz Actros was introduced locally in 2016, followed by the Fuso Shogun heavy-duty range in 2019 and the Freightliner Cascadia in 2020.
Whitehead also oversaw Daimler Truck’s early move into battery-electric commercial vehicles in Australia.
The company introduced the Fuso eCanter, becoming the first manufacturer to offer an electric truck in the Australian market, before expanding its electric portfolio with Mercedes-Benz eActros and eEconic models.
Daimler Truck says Whitehead also played a central role in introducing advanced safety technology and lower-emission engines to Australia and New Zealand, often ahead of regulatory requirements.
Reflecting on his time with the company, Whitehead said the three decades had provided significant professional and personal opportunities.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my 30-year career with this remarkable company,” Whitehead said.
“It has provided me with tremendous opportunities both personally and professionally and I couldn’t thank them enough.”
Whitehead will continue serving on the board of the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association, where he contributes to industry policy and issues affecting Australia’s trucking sector.
Daimler Truck has not provided details in the announcement about who will succeed Whitehead as President and CEO of its Australia Pacific operations.
