DaimlerChrysler will in future give top executives only three-year contract extensions rather than its standard five-year deals, the German-American carmaker said on Friday.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


“The supervisory board has decided to award as a rule a term of only three years when renewing the contracts of members of the management board,” a spokesman told Reuters, citing efforts to improve corporate governance standards.


The news agency noted that most companies in Germany extend senior managers’ contracts by five years at a time, and chief executive Dieter Zetsche just had his deal renewed until 2010.


New members of the executive board normally got three-year contracts, and even that was longer than the terms many US companies give their top managers, the report added.


Reuters said that tests of the new standard may come later this year as the car maker decides on extensions for corporate development head Ruediger Grube and trucks division boss Andreas Renschler, whose contracts expire in 2007.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The spokesman reportedly would not say whether the new rules that took effect in August would apply to those two current members.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now