The Mercedes Car Group is to have a new boss as part of a reshuffle announced this afternoon.

Eckhard Cordes is to replace Juergen Hubbert as head of the DaimlerChrysler's flagship company.

Currently head of commercial vehicles, he takes over on October 1.

Wolfgang Bernhard, who had been named as Hubbert's successor, but then had the job taken away from him early this year, is leaving DaimlerChrysler immediately. The company said Bernhard' s departure was by "mutual agreement".

Andreas Renschler, the head of smart, will take over as head of the commercial vehicles division.

Ulrich Walker, previously in a senior position with Mitsubishi before DaimlerChrysler cut-off additional support for the Japanese company, will now head smart.