Mercedes-Benz Design Chief Gorden Wagener to Step Down, Bastian Baudy Named Successor

The Mercedes-Benz Group has confirmed a series of management changes that will also reshape the company’s design leadership. Beginning February 1, 2026, Bastian Baudy will assume the role of Head of Design, succeeding longtime design chief Gorden Wagener.

Wagener, who currently serves as Chief Design Officer, will leave the company at his own request on January 31, bringing to a close a 30-year career with Mercedes-Benz. During his tenure, he played a central role in defining the modern visual identity of the brand and its sub-brands.

Baudy comes to the role with deep roots inside the company. After earning a degree in automotive design from the University of Pforzheim in 2010, he joined Mercedes-Benz and began his career in Advanced Design. Most recently, he has been leading design at Mercedes-AMG, where he oversaw a number of high-profile projects. One of his personal highlights is the striking Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, praised Wagener’s impact on the company. “He shaped the identity of our brands through a visionary design philosophy,” Källenius said. “His work ensured that our innovative products became known worldwide for their distinctive aesthetics. I would like to thank Gorden for his dedication, his exceptional contributions, and his lasting influence, and I wish him every success in the future.”

The transition marks a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz design as the automaker continues to evolve its styling in an era of electrification and digitalization.