Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers has explained why he has decided to leave Affalterbach to take on the role of Aston Martin CEO.

At the end of May 2020, Aston Martin announced the appointment of Moers as its new CEO, replacing Andy Palmer at the helm of the British firm.

Speaking to German publication Automobilwoche, Moers suggested he was not moving for money.

“The salary was not the decisive reason. After 26 years [at Daimler], I was at a point, both professionally and privately, when I wanted to change something for myself,” Moers told the publication.

The 54-year-old has been CEO of AMG since October 2013. He will begin his new role at Gaydon at the start of August 2020.

Interestingly, an Automotive News Europe report from soon after the announcement claimed Moers would receive a salary “substantially” below that of his predecessor.

The publication cited filings to the UK stock exchange suggesting Moers would receive £850 000 (about R18 100 000) a year, compared with the £1,2-million (around R25 500 000) Palmer was paid annually.

At the time of the announcement, Moers said he was “truly excited to be joining Aston Martin Lagonda at this point of its development”.

“I have always had a passion for performance cars and relish the chance to work for this iconic brand which I was close to on the technical side at the beginning of the partnership between the two companies,” he said.

Tobias Moers

Original article from Car