On Wednesday, Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses worldwide, announced the appointment of Richard Ferguson to lead Daimler Buses North America effective January 1, 2010. Ferguson will succeed current president/CEO Dr. Andreas Strecker.

Dr. Strecker assumed responsibility of the North American bus management for Daimler in 2002. In his eighth year, Dr. Strecker has re-established the brands Orion, Setra, and Sprinter in North America - even recently announcing the hybrid leadership of the Orion transit bus brand. After such a successful tenure, Strecker is stepping down on December 31, 2009 as president/CEO to pursue other professional assignments.

Ferguson served as the CFO for the then Orion Bus Industries from 2000 to 2003 and later as president of Daimler's North American pre-owned truck operations, where he was subsequently promoted to vice president of sales for Freightliner and Western Star trucks, the position he currently holds.

"Dr. Strecker's accomplishments and successful market positioning of Daimler Buses North America allow me an easy transition into this role," said Ferguson. "I look forward to my return to the North American bus market and to the successes that are ahead."