Rolf Eckrodt

Leadership
Globalization
Marketing,
Manufacturing
Corporate turnrounds.

Rolf Eckrodt held senior positions at Daimler-Chrysler, one of the most respected global automotive manufacturers, for more than 20 years. He had joined Mercedez-Benz in 1966 and had been known for his track record in turnarounds. As an example, as President of Mercedez-Benz Brazil in 1992-96, he carried out a completer restructuring of the troubled company.

His last post was President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, in which Daimler then had a stake.

Business Week magazine commented on his appointment at Mitsubishi, “He worked wonders in the 1980s at Mercedes-Benz, where he pushed aggressive salesmanship instead of relying solely on great engineering to sell cars. At loss-making Benz do Brasil, he strengthened supplier partnerships, introduced global sourcing, and trimmed the payroll by 3,000, or 15%, his first year. At DaimlerChrysler's struggling Adtranz railroad unit, Eckrodt tracked individual and project performance on a monthly basis. He's bringing that "war room" concept to Mitsubishi as well-and even impressing some senior execs in the Mitsubishi group.

Some of Rolf Eckrodt’s career highlights include:

• 2002 – 2004 President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (In this position, he reported directly to Juergen Schremmp, CEO of Daimler-Chrysler AG)
• President and Chief Executive Officer, Adtranz – DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems GmbH
• President, Mercedes Benz Brasil, Commercial Vehicles, Trucks and Buses
• Director worldwide Sales and Marketing, Passenger Cars Mercedes-Benz AG

His extensive business experience at DamilerChrysler enables Rolf Eckrodt to speak with authority on leadership, globalization, marketing, manufacturing and corporate turnrounds.