Daimler does Silicon Valley

Zetsche sits in the 2016 Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. — Reuters

Never thought you’d live to see the day, did you? But Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz, is shedding its regimented methods by doing away with strict hierarchies and meticulous planning for a looser, more spontaneous corporate culture ala Silicon Valley.

MERCEDES-BENZ maker Daimler is embracing Silicon Valley management techniques in a drive to speed up decision making, empower staff and fend off new rivals such as electric carmaker Tesla Motors.