Karin Rådström is steering Daimler Truck in a new direction as the world’s biggest truckmaker faces a growing challenge from China

(Credit: Daimler)

Karin Rådström is used to being the only woman in the room. She was the first to lead Scania’s bus and coach division, having worked her way through the ranks from marketing trainee to head of sales and marketing and executive vice president at the Swedish truck manufacturer.

Now, as CEO of Daimler Truck, she heads up the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Rådström became only the second woman to lead a company in the DAX 40 upon her appointment in 2024 and is one of only 43 women CEOs in the Fortune 500 Europe. “I try to use that as a positive motivation more than a heavy burden,” she says. “The best way to increase the number of leadership opportunities for women is, of course, to be successful.”