Silakis, President of Benz Korea, Leaves Korea Just Before Raid... Appointed President of Benz Canada

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] It has been confirmed that Dimitris Silakis, President of Mercedes-Benz Korea, has moved to the position of President of Mercedes-Benz Canada.

According to Mercedes-Benz Canada on the 13th, Silakis will succeed Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada, and will assume the position starting September 1. Silakis will be responsible for Mercedes-Benz Canada's passenger cars, AMG, and van divisions overall.

Originally, Silakis was scheduled to move to Mercedes-Benz USA as Head of Sales and Product after completing his term in Korea. However, due to employment visa restrictions, his assignment was changed to Canada.

Silakis served as President of Mercedes-Benz Korea for five years starting in September 2015 and is reported to have left for Germany, where Mercedes-Benz headquarters is located, around mid-May.

Earlier, the Ministry of Environment imposed a maximum fine of 77.6 billion KRW and filed charges with the prosecution, stating that Mercedes-Benz had installed emission manipulation programs in 12 diesel models totaling 37,154 units sold domestically from 2012 to 2018. In response, the prosecution conducted a raid on Mercedes-Benz Korea from May 27 to 28, but Silakis was not in the country due to a business trip.

At the time of the prosecution's investigation, the timing of the change in the President of Mercedes-Benz Korea became a topic within the industry. This is because Mercedes-Benz headquarters had transferred Silakis to the United States on May 1, five days before the Ministry of Environment's announcement.

This recalls the case of Johannes Thamer, former President who oversaw Audi Volkswagen Korea during the 'Dieselgate' scandal in 2015, who avoided criminal punishment by leaving Korea.

Silakis's successor, Bjorn Hauber, will begin his term on August 1.