Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced a significant leadership change that marks a new chapter for its operations across Southeast Asia. Effective 1 February 2026, Martin Schulz will assume the role of CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia, while also taking on responsibility as Head of a newly integrated Southeast Asia Region covering Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Schulz succeeds Amanda Zhang, who will continue to play a key role within the organisation as a member of the Board of Directors and Senior Adviser. Her continued involvement is expected to ensure strategic continuity and a smooth leadership transition.

Amanda Zhang concludes more than two decades with Mercedes-Benz, during which she held senior leadership positions across Europe and Southeast Asia. Her tenure in the region was marked by transformative initiatives that reshaped the brand’s retail and customer engagement strategies. Under her leadership, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced Southeast Asia’s first Retail of the Future Agency Model and unveiled the region’s first flagship luxury retail concept, Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar. These initiatives enhanced the customer experience through data-driven insights and greater digital integration.

Beyond retail transformation, Zhang expanded the brand’s product portfolio to offer a broader “luxury of choice,” strengthened the electric vehicle charging ecosystem through strategic partnerships, and delivered profitable growth in Singapore. She also reinforced the regional go-to-market strategy, positioning the business for sustained growth, accelerated electrification, and long-term customer value creation.

Reflecting on her tenure, Zhang expressed pride in the achievements of the regional teams and confidence in her successor’s leadership. In her new advisory role, she will continue to support key strategic initiatives and help maintain business momentum across Southeast Asia.

Martin Schulz brings with him extensive global experience gained over a long-standing career with Mercedes-Benz that began in 1999. He has previously served as CEO in the United Arab Emirates and Romania, and spent more than a decade in senior management roles across Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea. Most recently, he was based at Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he held various Sales and Marketing positions.

Commenting on his appointment, Schulz said he is eager to return to Asia and work closely with teams and retail partners across the region. He highlighted Southeast Asia as a market filled with opportunity and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences, products, and services, while strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in luxury mobility.

With this leadership transition and the creation of a unified Southeast Asia regional structure, Mercedes-Benz aims to further sharpen its strategic focus, deepen customer engagement, and drive sustainable growth across one of its most dynamic global markets.