A RADICAL review of Mercedes-Benz' UK operations has seen the appointment of a new managing director in preparation for the millennium merger with Chrysler Jeep Imports to create DaimlerChrysler UK. Managing director Paul Halata, who had been lined up to lead the new company has been promoted to president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

His replacement is vice-president marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA, Joachim Eberhardt, who will take charge of the DaimlerChrysler UK operation. The changes will take place by the end of the year. In the UK, the merger will take place on January 1, 2000. Throughout the rest of the world the merger has recently been completed and has seen group president Tom Stallkamp, plus two other board members, resign. The new board will consist of 12 members, plus joint chairmen Robert Eaton and Juergen Schrempp.

A Mercedes spokesman said of the UK changes: 'Through adopting a new focus on our sales and used car market we hope to strengthen our image, improve residuals and reduce wholelife costs to fleets. This can be achieved thanks to the restructuring which speeds up the decision-making process, allowing us to focus far more on our core activities.'