Mercedes Replaces US Leader Amid UAW Push to Unionize Plant (1)

Mercedes-Benz Group AG abruptly replaced a key US executive as the carmaker faces an aggressive campaign by the United Auto Workers to unionize a plant in Alabama.

Federico Kochlowski, a vice president with the company in the US, was named chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz US International Inc., according to audio of an employee meeting reviewed by Bloomberg. He replaces Michael Göbel, who will take on a new role related to North American production. The change is effective immediately, the company told employees.

Mercedes confirmed the news in a statement Tuesday that didn’t detail the reason for the ...