Mercedes-Benz Korea has announced that Thomas Klein will be promoted to oversee product management and sales for the passenger car division at Mercedes-Benz Germany, taking effect July 1. His successor will be Matthias Beitel, currently the head of Mercedes me, Digital Services, and Ecommerce, who will officially step into the role of President of Mercedes-Benz Korea on September 1.
After serving as the head of Mercedes-Benz Korea since January 2021, Thomas Klein will be leaving Korea after approximately two and a half years. Under his leadership, the company has solidified its position as a luxury brand, driving growth according to its luxury and electrification strategies, leading to over 80,000 annual sales for the first time in 2022.
As a result, last year’s electric vehicle sales at Mercedes-Benz Korea grew more than eight-fold compared to 2020, and the sales of ‘top-end vehicles’ doubled in the same period. Additionally, the company started and activated online sales for new and certified pre-owned vehicles, enhancing the digital customer experience in sales and after-service.
Thomas Klein expressed his deep gratitude for the passion and loyalty Korean customers have for the Mercedes-Benz brand, stating that it motivates him to provide desirable vehicles in his new role overseeing product management and sales. He emphasized ongoing communication with the Korean market to ensure that the high demands of customers are conveyed to the headquarters effectively.
Meanwhile, Matthias Beitel, the new president, studied automotive industry and international business at Nürtingen-Geislingen University in Germany. He began his career with the company in 2005 at the Czech branch, focusing on dealer network development.
In 2011, he moved to China where he held various positions including overseeing organizational training, dealership certification, warranty, goodwill, and service warranty products. Since 2015, he has taken on substantial roles at the German headquarters directing after-sales service sales and product management, and from 2018, he has managed global training initiatives. Most recently, since 2020, he has been responsible for Mercedes me, Digital Services, and Ecommerce.
Matthias Beitel is a specialized strategist in the automotive field, having worked across different domains like digital services, sales, customer service, and network development in Germany, China, and the Czech Republic. Particularly since 2020, he has been instrumental in enhancing digital services for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and expanding mobile experiences.
Upon his upcoming role as president, Matthias Beitel said, “I am very pleased and excited to take over as President of Mercedes-Benz Korea, in the fourth-largest and most dynamic market that leads trends. My focus will be on listening to the needs of Korean customers, working closely with the employees and dealers of Mercedes-Benz Korea to enhance customer satisfaction and continue our success story.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr