Cusumano Named Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks

Franziska Cusumano, 33, has taken over the responsibility for the business unit Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks & Custom Tailored Trucks (CTT), according to Daimler Truck's news release. She succeeds Ralf Forcher, 59, who will retire at the end of the year.

In her new role, she is in charge of the development, production, and sales of the Mercedes-Benz models Unimog, Econic, and Zetros in Wörth, as well as the Custom Tailored Trucks business unit in Molsheim, Alsace/France, for individual customer conversions.

Cusumano joined the Daimler group in 2008 and started in the operations field of the foundry business in Mannheim and South Africa. This was followed by various positions in research and development at the Fuso Global Hybrid Center in Japan, product management at Mercedes-Benz, and platform management for Engines and Axles.

In 2018, she took on the role as executive assistant to the chairman of Daimler Truck. In addition, she became chief of staff and head of corporate office with the spin-off in 2021 responsible for the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board and its committees.

Besides her Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Cusumano holds a Master of Science from Columbia University, New York.

“I am happy that Franziska Cusumano will take over the responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. Franziska is a great leader with a broad expertise," said Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. "I am convinced that with her passion and dedication to delivering the best products and solutions for our customers she will continue to build on the success of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and take the business to the next level. I wish her a successful start and all the best in her new role.”

Forcher will retire as planned at the end of this year. After studying and completing his doctorate in mechanical engineering in Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, Forcher started his career at the Daimler Group in the passenger cars business in 1996 in research and development.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Management I would like to thank Ralf Forcher for his contributions during his 27 years in the company," said Rådström. "Ralf has developed the business of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks in a positive way and hands over a healthy business to Franziska. I wish Ralf all the best for the future.”