The former head of Daimler Trucks, who was promoted nearly a year ago by parent Daimler AG to oversee production and purchasing of Mercedes Benz cars and vans, has abruptly left the company. 

Andreas Renschler has voluntarily left the company, according to a statement from Daimler.

“During his time as a member of the board of management of Daimler AG, Andreas Renschler gave our commercial vehicles business a global reach,” said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz cars. “In addition, in his function as board of management member for manufacturing and procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars, he managed the ramp-up of the new S-Class in an outstanding manner and prepared our plants for the start of production of the new C-Class. I very much regret that he is leaving the company for personal reasons.”

According to Bloomberg News, Renschler decided to leave because his current job did not give him the same level of decision-making ability he had when he was running Daimler Trucks.

The 55-year-old Renschler was seen as one of the top contenders to replace Zetsche when he decides to retire.

Markus Schäfer is taking over responsibility for manufacturing and procurement Mercedes-Benz cars. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of manufacturing. Most recently, he was responsible for the production planning of Daimler’s car business. Before that, Schäfer was president and CEO of MB USA in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where the new C-Class will be produced for the North American market.

Daimler Trucks is the parent to truck makers Freightliner and Western Star as well as engine and component manufacturer Detroit Diesel.