Gorden Wagener will replace Mercedes-Benz design chief Peter Pfeiffer, who will retire in mid-2008, the company announced.
Wagener, 39, is currently in charge of Mercedes design studios in California and Japan and leads strategic advanced design at the carmaker.
Pfeiffer turns 65 this year. He joined Mercedes-Benz in 1968. Pfeiffer has been design chief for Mercedes-Benz since 1999.