Former Kenworth general manager joins Freightliner to look after its Australian and New Zealand operations.
The former general manager of sales for Kenworth has pulled up stumps and joined Freightliner as general manager of the brand in Australia and New Zealand.
Stephen Downes has filled the position that has been vacant since the brief tenure of US expat Kristy Walker earlier this year.
Daimler Truck and Bus Australia managing director Daniel Whitehead says Downes has excellent knowledge of the Australian and New Zealand truck market.
“Importantly, he is home-grown and therefore able to immediately relate to our customers when discussing product requirements and applications,” Whitehead says.
“Stephen has both an engineering degree and a commerce degree, and when you combine those with the management and sales experience he has gained over the last decade he is the ideal person to further increase Freightliner’s market share.”
Prior to joining Freightliner, Downes spent the last decade working for Paccar and was until recently general manager of the DAF brand before taking on Kenworth.
Downes will take the wheel of Freightliner from next month.