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Ola Källenius

Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO), Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Mercedes-benz

Search every verified Ola Källenius interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In November 2024, Ola Källenius appeared in a test-drive video for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA 2025, which he described as "the most intelligent car that we have ever made." He stated that the vehicle features a modular platform with both a fully electric and a hybridized combustion version. Källenius said the car's powertrain was developed from the ground up and is "extremely efficient," with a two-speed transmission that allows for precise calibration at all driving speeds. He also noted that the car's high-power charging system makes charging "almost like fueling." In an August 2022 interview, Källenius said that Mercedes-Benz does not have the ambition to produce 10 million vehicles in competition with large volume manufacturers, stating instead that "Mercedes muss für das Besondere stehen" (Mercedes must stand for the special). He also discussed the need for entrepreneurial thinking and speed in the automotive industry, particularly during a system change, and remarked that if he were to study again, he would likely choose computer science.

Recent appearances

Verified interview transcripts

Notable quotes

“We are going to put another model into the plant. Next to the GLE and GLS families, we are also going to produce the next generation GLC. So, we are developing a version of that now that will fit the American market. Which means, as far as Alabama is concerned, the sky is the limit.”

“So going back to what Premier Li said, I think he made a very strong statement. China's open for business. And we want companies to come to China. We want also companies to export to China. In fact, he was talking about setting up a hundred different forums, import export forums. So if China continues to open up the market and make it easier for us either to invest or through our operations from overseas access the m”

“Wir werden in USA investieren, aber jetzt die Headquarters von Stuttgart in die USA zu verlegen, das wäre vielleicht ein bisschen zu vieles Gutes.”

“Wir sind übrigens diejenigen, die am meisten Skin in a Game haben. Wir haben bis jetzt in den letzten 5 se Jahren 300 Milliarden investiert. Es gibt kein Stakeholder, der so viel Geld investiert hat in in den Erfolg der Elektromobilität, Klimaschutz überhaupt, vielleicht egal, welche Branche.”

“Die Weltwirtschaft aber auch die global vernetzte Automobilwirtschaft, Automobilbranche befindet sich schon in einer Situation, die nicht normal ist.”

“But it's not about tinkering around the edges, making a few adjustments here and there and then hope everything's going to be fine. It's not going to be fine. We have to make big changes to the regulation.”

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