Dietmer Exler is set to become the president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) on January 1.

Exler will replace Stephen Cannon who is leaving as the head of MBUSA and will remain a consultant with the company until January 31, 2016. As he becomes the automaker’s new local chief executive, Exler will relinquish his role as vice president of sales for MBUSA, a position he has held since January 2014.

As part of his new job, Exler will be responsible for all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars as well as the Smart brand for the United States and NAFTA regions. He’ll therefore be leading over 1,500 employees in the U.S. and a further 1,240 across Canada and Mexico and be responsible for maintaining the firm’s impressive sales.

Exler has experience working with Mercedes-Benz having landed a gig with DaimlerChrysler Financial in 2002 where he remained until 2010. That year, he returned to work in the U.S. for the first time in five years and become the vice president for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA.

Discussing Exler’s appointment to CEO, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales, Ola Kaellenius said “Dietmar’s appointment is central to reinforcing our strategy and our standards around the world, and will continue to strengthen the ties and collaboration within our marketing & sales network. I would like to thank Steve for his leadership and contributions to our success story in the U.S., and wish him all the best in the future.”

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