Daimler AG made an announcement that the company is appointing Wolfgang Bernhard, head of its van operations, replacing Rainer Schmückle. He became a board member just under a year after his return.

Daimler didn't comment on Mr. Schmuckle's next move but told that it is currently holding discussions with him. Mr. Schmückle couldn't be reached immediately for comment. Daimler is trying to recover by cost cutting. He was set to become head of Mercedes in 2004, due to the clash with former Daimler CEO Jurgen Schrempp it couldn't happen and had to leave the company. He joined Volkswagen as a top executive shortly after, leading a two-year restructuring drive that helped reverse a five-year slide in profits at the German car maker.

Although Daimler's chief executive, Dieter Zetsche, will continue to head the Mercedes car unit directly, the move vaults Mr. Bernhard, who led restructuring efforts at Daimler's then-Chrysler operations and Volkswagen AG, into a strong contending spot to succeed Mr. Zetsche eventually.