Daimler Truck CFO Jochen Goetz dies suddenly at age 52

The automotive world was reeling on Monday after the sudden death of Daimler Truck chief financial officer Jochen Goetz in what the company called a “tragic incident.”

Goetz was 52.

He was known for helming the 2021 spinoff of the trucking company from its Mercedes-Benz maker parent, the Daimler Group. He had worked for the German company for more than 36 years, the company said.

The exec died “suddenly and unexpectedly” on Saturday, Daimler Truck said in a statement, without providing details.

“The death of Jochen Goetz is a tremendous loss for Daimler Truck, both personally and professionally,” Martin Daum, chairman of the company’s board of management, said in a statement. “Jochen Goetz was Daimler Truck with heart and soul.

He has played a key role in shaping today’s Daimler Truck company and, as chief financial officer, has consistently worked towards making the company more economically successful today than ever before.”

Daum said “his profession was his mission” and that he “lived and loved Daimler Truck.”

Daimler declared Goetz “decisively responsible” for the 2021 spinoff of the truck division. Daimler is the world’s largest truck manufacturer.

Born and educated in Germany, Goetz worked in a variety of positions in the company before presiding over the spinoff. The first half of 2023 had seen “strong results,” the company said.

“The news of Jochen Goetz’ sudden death has shocked us,” said Joe Kaeser, chairman of Daimler’s supervisory board. “Just a few days ago, he presented the successful financial development of ‘his company’ to the supervisory board in a convincing and confident manner. Jochen Goetz stood for authenticity, commitment and care for his colleagues.”

Goetz leaves behind a wife and two children, the company said.

With News Wire Services