Mercedes South Africa CEO calls it quits

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has announced the resignation of its CEO, Andreas Brand, after four years at the helm.

Brand will step down from the top job at the end of May 2026, with his successor still set to be announced. He is set to take up a new role at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany.

Brand joined Mercedes-Benz in Rastatt, Germany, in 1997. He held various positions in planning and production in Germany and abroad.

He later took over the management of the press shop and body shop in Kecskemét during the initial plant construction and launch.

This experience would serve him well in the future, providing a foundation for establishing new global production facilities. 

In 2013, Brand led the “painted body” department in Mercedes’ Factory One in Sindelfingen, later becoming Chief Engineer Production for the Global Compact Car Platform.

He subsequently became responsible for “integrated program planning”, where he had to navigate severe challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic and semiconductor crisis.

From 2022 to now, Brand has served at the helm of Mercedes’ South African business as CEO and executive director of manufacturing. 

During his tenure at MBSA, Brand successfully led the East London manufacturing plant, significantly strengthened global production capability, and ensured continued operational performance.

Under his leadership, the East London plant became an award‑winning manufacturing site critical to Mercedes’ global C-Class output. 

In December 2025, Brand assumed the role of Head of CKD and Mid Volume Production, concurrent with his responsibilities as CEO of MBSA.

Now, he will take up a new assignment at Mercedes-Benz AG as its Head of Supply Chain Management for Global Customer Services and Parts (GCSP), in Stuttgart, Germany.

“On behalf of the board, we extend our sincere appreciation to Andreas for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment throughout his tenure,” MBSA chairman Wilfried Porth said. 

“Under his guidance, MBSA maintained strong strategic continuity, safeguarded operational stability across our manufacturing operations, and strengthened our competitiveness.”

Porth said Brand’s contributions have been instrumental in reinforcing the East London plant’s role as a world‑class manufacturing site and a key asset in the company’s global C‑Class value chain. 

“We thank Andreas for his transformative impact and wish him continued success in his new role,” he said.

MBSA said it remains steadfast in its commitment to strategic excellence and continued leadership in the premium vehicle market. Brand’s successor will be communicated in due course.