Leadership Change at Mercedes-Benz Türkiye: Şenol Bayrak to Take Over

Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv is entering a new era with a significant leadership transition at the top level. Şükrü Bekdikhan, one of the company’s long-serving executives, will retire from his role on June 30, 2026. Effective July 1, 2026, Şenol Bayrak will assume the position of Executive Board Member and Head of the Passenger Car Group at Mercedes-Benz Otomotiv.

During his tenure, Bekdikhan played a key role in shaping Mercedes-Benz Türkiye’s transformation strategy, particularly in the areas of electrification and the implementation of the brand’s next-generation agency retail model. Under his leadership, Türkiye became one of the standout markets within Mercedes-Benz’s global network in terms of operational efficiency and market performance.

His successor, Şenol Bayrak, brings more than two decades of international experience within the Mercedes-Benz organization. Bayrak began his career with the smart brand in 2004 before taking on senior responsibilities across major global markets, including China and the United States.

In Beijing, Bayrak served as Vice President of Product Management at Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales & Service. Later, during his tenure in the United States, he led strategic sales initiatives that accelerated the growth of Mercedes-Benz EQ electric vehicle models and contributed to the modernization of the retail network.

Most recently, Bayrak has been leading passenger car sales operations at the company’s Stuttgart headquarters. His extensive global expertise in electric mobility, sales transformation, and customer-focused strategies is expected to strengthen Mercedes-Benz Türkiye’s growth ambitions in the coming years.

The company is expected to continue focusing on electrification, digital retail transformation, and enhanced customer experience as part of its long-term strategy in the Turkish automotive market.