Trucks and buses are the backbone of economy and society. Without them, the world would come to a standstill. At the same time, commercial vehicle manufacturers have a great responsibility when it comes to their impact on climate change and their role in society as employers and corporate citizens. In his podcast “Transportation Matters” Martin Daum, former CEO of Daimler Truck, invited prominent guests to discuss highly relevant topics ranging from the future of transportation to sustainability, leadership and ethical business, sometimes taking unexpected positions.
Transportation Matters. The Podcast of Daimler Truck.
Our podcast episodes
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Martin Daum – A look back from a defining CEO | #06.03
In the final episode of Transportation Matters, Martin Daum, long-time CEO of Daimler Truck, takes on the role of guest for the first time. In a conversation with Jörg Howe, Head of Global Communications and External Affairs of Daimler Truck, he reflects on 37 years at the company, key moments, and major challenges. He also shares his passion for innovation, his plans for retirement, and the importance of humanity in corporate culture. An inspiring retrospective filled with thought-provoking insights.
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Stefan Paul – Zero-emission transportation: the customer perspective | #06.02
Decarbonizing transportation is crucial in the fight against climate change. But what is a realistic timeline? And what costs are we as society willing to bear? In this episode, Martin Daum does a reality check with Stefan Paul, CEO of Kühne + Nagel, one of the world's leading logistics providers and a customer of Daimler Truck.
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Gordon Herbert – How to make the impossible possible | #06.01
Three medals in three years, in three different tournaments – this ambitious goal was set by national coach Gordon Herbert for the German men's basketball team. And success has proven him right – following bronze at the 2022 European Championship, they won the World Championship in 2023. The third medal he aims to achieve with his team at the Paris Olympics. Prior to this, he spoke with Martin Daum about team building, crises, and comebacks – and about his book, which was released a few weeks ago. „Die Jungs gaben mir mein Leben zurück - Die Erfolgsgeschichte des deutschen Basketballs”* (German only).
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Dr. Leonhard Birnbaum – Mammoth Task Infrastructure| #05.08
Sustainable transport of the future requires the right vehicles - and a lot has already happened here: Daimler Truck already has ten battery-electric models in its portfolio. But for customers to actually convert their fleets on a large scale, they need not only the right trucks and buses, but also a comprehensive charging infrastructure. Green transport is only possible with sufficient green energy. Martin Daum talks to E.ON CEO Leonhard Birnbaum about the mammoth task of building such an infrastructure.
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Dr. Reiner Haseloff – transformation as prime minister’s priority (German) | #05.07
Daimler Truck is currently building its new logistics site for the worldwide spare parts supply of Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Saxony-Anhalt. Of course, the convenient location in the heart of Europe plays an important role here - but Saxony-Anhalt is also doing a lot right beyond that. In an interview with Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum, Minister President Dr. Reiner Haseloff explains why location development is a top priority for him, how he convinces companies to locate in his state, how he wants to use the transformation of the economy towards CO2 neutrality to move Saxony-Anhalt forward - and why a positive image of Germany is so important for the prosperity of us all.
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Rolf Schumann – the potential of data and AI | #05.06
The Schwarz Group is best known for its Lidl and Kaufland retail chains. But the international retailer based in Baden-Württemberg is also a true pioneer when it comes to digitalization. Rolf Schumann, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, and Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum talk about the potential of data and AI, about hypes - and about how to really inspire IT specialists.
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Dr. Stefan Hartung – Technological Transformation: The Bosch Perspective | #05.05
Martin Daum discusses the journey to CO2 neutrality with Dr Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH: What does it take to master the transformation to emission-free transport? What role do global companies such as Daimler Truck and Bosch play in this? And why are energy prices a crucial success factor?
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Dr. Sopna Sury - Green hydrogen: the energy providers’ perspective | #05.04
Hydrogen plays a crucial role in the transformation: it is a versatile energy source, storage, and carrier, but how can a hydrogen economy become a reality? What could the required infrastructure look like in our near future? Who will bear the associated costs? And how can the truck industry use hydrogen profitably? Martin Daum discusses all of this with Dr Sopna Sury. She is responsible for the hydrogen strategy of the global energy company RWE and explains what challenges and opportunities energy suppliers see and what specific goals RWE has set itself.
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Sigmar Gabriel – What does 2024 hold for Europe and the world? (German) | #05.03
In the first episode of the year, Martin Daum chats with Germany’s former Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel about issues that will shape 2024: How is the world order changing and what does this mean for Europe? How can we as a society bear the costs of the energy transition in a socially responsible and fair way? Why is de-globalization not an option and why is it so important to vote in the European elections? And what does geopolitics have to do with entrepreneurial risk management? An exciting discussion on questions to which there are no simple answers.
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Sigrid de Vries – Why it takes more than ZEVs for sustainable transportation | #05.02
On its way to sustainable transportation, Europe has reached a critical stretch: More and more zero-emission vehicles are available, but there are still too few on the roads and in everyday use. The question is: What are the missing links and how can they be tackled? Martin Daum discusses this with Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
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Katharina Zaiser & Philipp Litzinger – What matters to young talents | #05.01
Marking the launch of the fifth season of his podcast, CEO Martin Daum discusses what truly matters to young talents with two participants of the Daimler Truck trainee program. With his guests Katharina Zaiser and Philipp Litzinger, he talks about corporate culture as well as the significance of an international work environment – and whether being a trainee gives you a better chance of becoming a board member.
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#04.06 | Anna Mascolo – Zero emissions: The infrastructure challenge
Martin Daum talks to Anna Mascolo, Executive Vice President for Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell. They discuss the zero emissions target, focusing especially on the infrastructure – an aspect that is highly interesting and relevant for the industry and consumers alike.
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#04.05 | Sherry Sanger – Co-creation & autonomous trucks
In the latest episode, Martin Daum and Sherry Sanger talk about the power of co-creation and how we can use it to unlock the full potential of autonomous driving.
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#04.04 | Dr. Frank Appel – The future of logistics
Martin Daum and Dr. Frank Appel talk about the backbone of modern life: transportation and logistics – the network that connects markets across regions, countries, and continents.
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#04.03 | Bernd Heid – The Power of Hydrogen
In this episode, Martin Daum talks to Bernd Heid about the transformation of the energy sector - more specifically, they address one of the most controversial topics: the role of hydrogen. Bernd Heid, one of the leading experts on climate technologies and a strategic partner of the Hydrogen Council, discusses with Martin Daum whether hydrogen can be used as a fuel for commercial vehicles.
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#04.02 | Prof. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer – Technological transformation (German)
The topic of the latest episode is the electrification and digitization in the transport sector. What are the opportunities and the challenges? One of the most renowned automotive experts will help to answer these questions: Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. As director of the Center of Automotive Research in Duisburg, he has been researching the auto industry for decades.
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#04.01 | Britta Heidemann - motivation and competition
Daimler Truck launches the fourth season of Martin Daum’s CEO Podcast “Transportation Matters”. This episode's guest is German fencing icon and multi-award-winning Olympic champion Britta Heidemann who talks with Martin Daum about motivation and competition.
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#03.06 | Austin Russell – Entrepreneurship & autonomous trucking
Martin Daum not only talks to Austin Russell about the future of autonomous trucking (SAE Level 4) but also about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
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#03.05 | Martin Lundstedt – Partnerships & coopetition
Today Martin Daum talks to Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group. Both are competitors but also partners, so in this episode of the podcast they will discuss the unique situation of collaborating with a rival.
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#03.04 | Ana-Cristina Grohnert – How diversity works
Today Martin Daum speaks with Ana-Cristina Grohnert, Chairperson of German diversity charter, about diversity in the workplace.
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#03.03 | Adina Vălean – The road to decarbonization
Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Trucks & Buses, talks to Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, about ways to achieve carbon neutrality. A topic of utmost importance not only for the transport sector, but also for society as a whole.
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#03.02 | Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer – Carbon Pricing
In this episode, Martin Daum speaks with Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer. Edenhofer is the director and chief economist of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He is also a professor for Economics of Climate Change at the Technische Universität Berlin and is considered one of the leading German climate economists. Together, they discuss the topic of carbon pricing as a measure to combat climate change.
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#03.01 | Dr. Franz-Werner Haas – Successful innovations
Today, Martin Daum speaks with Dr. Franz-Werner Haas about successful innovations. Haas is the CEO of CureVac, a biotech company that creates messenger RNA based vaccines.
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#02.06 | Jeremy Rifkin – The future of hydrogen
In this episode, Martin Daum talks to Jeremy Rifkin. The US-economist, author and professor at the University of Pennsylvania is considered a visionary of the hydrogen economy. Daum and Rifkin exchange views about hydrogen as an energy source of the future and its significance for the transportation industry.
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#02.05 | Claudia Nemat – Digital transformation
In this episode, Martin Daum talks with Claudia Nemat about Digital transformation. Nemat is a board member of Deutsche Telekom and in charge of the Technology & Innovation department.
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#02.04 | Dr. Sigrid Nikutta – Future of freight transport (German)
In this episode Martin Daum meets with Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, CEO of DB Cargo AG and member of the Management Board of Deutsche Bahn. Both discuss the future of freight transport and the importance of transport by rail and on roads.
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#02.03 | Nigel Topping – CO2-neutral Transport
In this episode Martin Daum welcomes Nigel Topping who acts as the High Level Champion for Climate Action for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled for 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.
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#02.02 | Madeleine Albright – Global Challenges
In this episode, Martin Daum welcomes via the internet Madame Secretary Madeleine Albright who was the first female United States Secretary of State during the Clinton administration from 1997 to 2001. Both discuss the challenges of global collaboration in times of a crisis like the current coronavirus pandemic.
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#02.01 | Daniel Harkavy – Turbulent Times
To kick off Season 2 of our 'Transportation Matters' Podcast, Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum remotely connects with Daniel Harkavy, author, leadership expert and CEO of Building Champions, an executive coaching and management development company.
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01.05 | Daniel Schaefer - globalization
Daimler Truck AG CEO Martin Daum and Head of the news division of Bloomberg Germany Daniel Schaefer discuss globalization and its opportunities and challenges.
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#01.04 | Terry Stotts - leadership
Martin Daum is a die-hard basketball fan. As the CEO of a global company, he sees similarities in business and sports and often the same basic principles of leadership, team work and performance. In this episode he meets Terry Stotts – the NBA head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
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#01.03 | Brad White - purpose
The latest episode of Transportation Matters is about the ‘Why?’ Why, as a company, are we doing business - beyond making money? What drives us, what gets us up in the morning to give it our best? In other words: What is our purpose? Martin Daum goes after these questions in his conversation with Brad White, a veteran specialized in helping businesses to define and use their purpose beyond the financials.
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#01.02 | Joschka Fischer - sustainability
In our second episode the focus is on sustainability in the transport sector, one of the major challenges of our time. Martin Daum hosts a pioneer of sustainable and environmental friendly politics: Joschka Fischer, former Vice Chancellor and Secretary of State of the Federal Republic of Germany and now principal of Joschka Fischer & Company consultants, which he founded ten years ago.
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#01.01 | Michael Fleming - automated driving
In our opening episode Martin Daum talks to Michael Fleming, a pioneer in the field of automated driving. With his company TORC, Michael Fleming has been contributing to automated driving for a wide variety of vehicles for more than 15 years. Now TORC and Daimler Trucks & Buses have teamed up to teach trucks how to move goods safely and efficiently over long distances - thereby revolutionizing the transport of goods.
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