Daimler Trucks North America Switching from Brand-Centric to ‘Segment Strategy’
Daimler Trucks North America Makes Leadership Changes
David Carson has been appointed to SVP of sales and marketing at DTNA, thus consolidating responsibility for all sales and marketing of vocational and on-highway segments.

David Carson has been appointed to SVP of sales and marketing at DTNA.
Photo: DTNA
Daimler Trucks North America announced that David Carson has been appointed to the expanded role of senior vice president of sales and marketing at DTNA, thus consolidating responsibility for all sales and marketing of vocational and on-highway segments.
Carson currently serves as SVP of vocational sales and marketing. He will begin his new role on June 1.
His expanded role adds responsibilities formerly held by Richard Howard, who has been appointed to the management board of Daimler Truck Financial Services responsible for North America and Asia, and president of the newly established Daimler Truck Financial Services USA.
Howard’s move aligns with the planned spin-off of Daimler Truck. Daimler Truck will be supported by the dedicated captive financial entity, intended to streamline sales processes with tailor-made financing and leasing solutions to increase customer loyalty and retention, DTNA officials said in a press release.
Carson’s role will include the entirety of the Freightliner and Western Star portfolios.
Carson was appointed to his current role leading Western Star trucks in 2017, which expanded in scope in 2019 to include leadership of the entire vocational segment for DTNA. Prior to this, he led Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC), where he oversaw engineering, operations, and sales and marketing. He also previously served as the general manager of human resources at DTNA.
Additionally, Drew Backeberg, currently VP of dealer sales for the on-highway segment, has been promoted to SVP of aftermarket at DTNA and will join the company’s operating committee as a result.
Backeberg replaces Stefan Krschner, who transitioned to DTNA CFO. Backeberg has also been appointed to DTNA’s Operating Committee as part of his promotion.
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