Eva Wiese’s sudden departure as president of Mercedes-Benz Canada after solely two years on the helm stunned and dissatisfied Canadian sellers, however they perceive her choice to maneuver again to Germany for household causes.

“We actually obtained to know her, we labored via some issues, and we actually had some stability,” mentioned Brian Lowes, president of Pinnacle Automotive, which owns Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Winnipeg and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. “We appreciated Eva. She actually listens and was an excellent match for our market.”

Wiese will likely be changed by Andreas Tetzloff efficient Oct. 1.

Lowes, who additionally chairs the Mercedes-Benz Canada seller advisory board, mentioned Wiese carried out nicely regardless of arriving at a “troublesome time” with the nation in numerous phases of pandemic lockdowns. The Automotive Information Analysis & Information Heart exhibits Mercedes-Benz gross sales in Canada grew 2.4 per cent in 2021 and are up 7.4 per cent via the primary half of 2022.

“It was a deeply private, family-based choice,” Lowes mentioned. “And as we all know, these by no means come at an excellent time.”

Mercedes-Benz Canada spokesman Zakary Paget confirmed that Wiese’s departure was her choice and was “certainly for household causes.”

“The opposite necessary issue to remember with regard to the optimistic response is that Eva’s successor, Andreas Tetzloff, brings a wealth of expertise in retail and customer support and can proceed to construct upon the sturdy basis Eva has constructed with our seller community,” Paget mentioned.

Sellers are able to roll out the welcome mat, mentioned Lowes, who already has exchanged emails with Tetzloff and held

a convention name with MercedesBenz USA CEO Dimitris Psillakis, Wiese and Tetzloff.

“He appears nice. Deeply skilled on the retail aspect, and he definitely is happy to return to Canada,” Lowes mentioned. “We’re excited to have him.”

Tetzloff, 50, involves Canada from Mercedes-Benz Russia, the place he was CEO. He joined Mercedes in 1992 and held more and more senior roles in Germany, culminating together with his transfer to Russia.

Tetzloff will lead a nationwide community of 59 dealerships and 250 company staff in Canada. Wiese is heading again to

Germany as managing director of Mercedes-Benz Buyer Options GmbH, which focuses on the event and sale of branded unique equipment and collector merchandise.

Lowes mentioned he appears to be like ahead to working with Tetzloff and spelled out a lot of priorities. “Nothing particular, however growing car provide, launching new product, together with electrical, persevering with to construct on visitor and shopper satisfaction and persevering with the nice momentum within the Canadian market.”