STUTTGART -- Daimler AG is giving Smart more autonomy and has appointed a veteran executive, Annette Winkler, to lead the brand.
Winkler is the first woman to head a Daimler brand. CEO Dieter Zetsche has made promoting female executives to high-ranking roles a priority.
Winkler will move to Smart from head of Daimler's global business management and wholesale Europe division and will report to Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes head of sales and marketing.
