DaimlerChrysler AG, the parent company of the Milton Keynes-based Mercedes and Chrysler brands in the UK has officially been renamed Daimler AG.

The decision was made at a shareholders meeting in Germany and reflects the sale of the Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management in the US.

As a consequence Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Cars (Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, Smart, Maybach) and Commercial Vehicle (Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Fuso) business will be operated by a renamed Mercedes-Benz UK from tomorrow. The company’s retail subsidiary will become Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK.

A new company, Chrysler UK, will take over head office operations for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge business in the UK.

In a similar process, although not until April 2008, DaimlerChrysler Financial Services UK will become Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK, and will also continue to operate as the exclusive financial services partner for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands.

Reflecting their wider remit involving all brands of vehicles, DaimlerChrysler Fleet Management will be renamed Daimler Fleet Management UK and DaimlerChrysler Insurance Services will become Daimler Insurance Services UK. These changes will also take effect in April 2008.

Wilfried Steffen will continue as president and CEO of the renamed Mercedes-Benz UK and Bob Middleton as managing director of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK. Peter Lambert, currently managing director of Chrysler Group activities within DaimlerChrysler UK, will step down from this role with effect from November 1.

He will be succeeded by Simon Elliott, who will serve as an interim managing director of the new Chrysler UK, a role he will combine with his current international responsibilities with Chrysler LLC. The companies will continue to operate from their current sites and all UK staff will continue to be employed by the new or renamed companies; with all undertakings transferred as appropriate.