Kai-Uwe Trillenberg, currently Vice President Marketing & Sales of Mercedes-Benz Thailand, will take on the role of CEO of Mercedes-Benz Romania, effective December 1st, 2025, replacing Natalie Thompson who “leaves the company in a strong position, having had a significant impact in the company’s growth and success during her tenure.” Kai-Uwe will be onsite in Romania starting November 2025 to ensure a smooth handover process along with Natalie, who decided to take the next step in her professional journey outside the company.
“Natalie has been an invaluable asset to Mercedes-Benz Romania, and we are incredibly grateful for her leadership and dedication over the past years. Her vision and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to our success in the Romanian market. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her lasting impact on the company. Kai-Uwe brings a wealth of international experience and a proven track record to this new role. With his broad expertise and demonstrated talent for achieving meaningful results through innovative strategies, he is ideally positioned to take the helm at Mercedes-Benz Romania. I have full confidence that his leadership will foster continued expansion and prosperity in the Romanian market,” said Alexander Henzler, Head of Mercedes-Benz Central and Eastern Europe – Passenger Cars.
Kai-Uwe Trillenberg started his professional journey with smart GmbH in 2003, gaining experience across several European markets, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria. He then transitioned to Mercedes-Benz, where he handled Market Management responsibilities for the UK and Ireland. In 2007, he advanced to the position of Head of Marketing & Sales at smart-BRABUS GmbH, where he developed and launched the highly successful smart-BRABUS tailor-made individualization program.
Later, in 2014, Kai-Uwe relocated to China to lead Product Management for Compact Cars, overseeing the successful introduction of the locally manufactured compact car line. From 2015 onward, as a member of the Network Development team, he played a crucial role in key strategic initiatives, cultivating strong connections with dealer partners and investors in China and gaining valuable insights into the future of retail.
In his most recent role as Vice President of Marketing & Sales in Thailand, Kai-Uwe successfully steered the company through a challenging market environment, spearheading the “Retail of the Future” initiative, which created a more customer-focused and streamlined sales process. His leadership in Thailand was marked by a data-driven approach, with a constant focus on integrating new insights to enhance performance. With a persistent and determined mindset, he cultivated a culture that embraced experimentation and continuous improvement, consistently exploring innovative strategies to achieve ambitious targets, according to a statement by the company.
