Karin Rådström is steering Daimler Truck in a new direction as the world’s biggest truckmaker faces a growing challenge from China
fortune.com Sep 16, 2026

Karin Rådström is steering Daimler Truck in a new direction as the world’s biggest truckmaker faces a growing challenge from China

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Karin Rådström, the first woman to head Scania’s bus division and now CEO of Daimler Truck, has steered the world’s largest commercial‑vehicle maker through a period of significant growth and turbulence. Since her 2024 appointment, the company’s share price rose nearly 40%, and zero‑emissions vehicle sales jumped 67% in 2025. Rådström faces supply‑chain disruptions, semiconductor shortages, the Ukraine war, and U.S. tariffs, prompting her to push for a simpler, faster decision‑making culture. She is only the second woman to lead a DAX 40 firm and one of 43 Fortune 500 Europe CEOs.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Rådström’s ascent signals a breakthrough for gender diversity at the highest corporate levels, while her aggressive restructuring tackles the industry’s most pressing supply‑chain and geopolitical challenges.