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Mercedes-Benz Names AMG’s Bastian Baudy as Next Design Chief as Gorden Wagener Departs

The below-board shake-up signals a move to unified styling with a tighter execution focus following criticism of recent EV designs.

Overview

  • Gorden Wagener will leave on January 31, 2026 at his request and by mutual agreement after nearly three decades shaping Mercedes-Benz design.
  • Bastian Baudy, currently head of Mercedes-AMG design, becomes Head of Design on February 1, 2026.
  • Additional changes include Thomas Hellmuth exiting Body and Safety at year-end with Rosa Maria Conde Diez taking over on January 1, 2026.
  • Yanni von Roy-Jiang assumes Procurement and Supplier Quality on January 1, 2026, and Jörg Bartels succeeds electrified drive leader Torsten Eder on May 1, 2026 after leading Beijing Benz Automotive Co.
  • Ola Källenius praised Wagener’s impact as the company advances a unified design direction that moves away from EQ-only styling, reflecting feedback on recent models and concepts.