Stephen Downes is the new general manager, Freightliner Trucks, Australia and New Zealand.
Daimler Truck and Bus managing director, Daniel Whitehead, says Downes brings wide ranging knowledge and experience to the company.
He was, most recently, the general sales manager of Kenworth.
“Stephen has excellent knowledge of the Australian and New Zealand truck market. Importantly, he is home-grown and therefore able to immediately relate to our customers when discussing product requirements and applications,” Whitehead says.
“Downes has both an engineering degree and a commerce degree, and when you combine those with the management and sales experience he has gained over the last decade, he is the ideal person to further increase Freightliner’s market share,” he adds.
Downes started his career in the local truck industry a decade ago with PACCAR Australia and was, up until the April 2014, the general manager for DAF Trucks, where he increased market share and volumes to record levels before switching to his general sales manager role.
Downes will take up his new position in January, 2015.
