In a landmark leadership shift within European media, Thomas Rabe — one of the longest-serving executives in Germany’s entertainment industry — will step down as CEO of Bertelsmann and RTL Group at the end of 2026, bringing a 15-year tenure to a close.
The announcement marks the beginning of a carefully orchestrated succession plan that places two rising leaders at the helm of the media giant.

Beginning January 1, 2027, Thomas Coesfeld will become Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, while Clément Schwebig will take over as CEO of RTL Group — a pivotal realignment for the company behind RTL+, Fremantle, and multiple European broadcasting networks.

“Leadership will be in excellent hands”—Rabe praises successors

Rabe, who guided Bertelsmann through a massive digital transformation and global expansion, expressed confidence in the new leadership team.

“We have worked closely and with great trust for many years,” Rabe said, praising Coesfeld’s readiness to take over the top job.
He added that Schwebig “knows RTL Group well… and brings valuable insights into the growth markets of Asia.”

ALSO READ : UpGrad in talks to acquire Unacademy at $300–400 million, marking major edtech shake-up

This transition is not abrupt — it’s the result of deliberate grooming of internal talent.

Who is Thomas Coesfeld? The fast-rising insider taking Bertelsmann’s top seat

Coesfeld joined Bertelsmann in 2018, first stepping into the Bertelsmann Printing Group, before moving into its music division BMG in 2020. In 2023, he became BMG’s CEO.

The surprising twist?

Coesfeld will continue leading BMG while also serving as CEO of Bertelsmann, holding an unusually powerful dual role — a signal of how deeply the company prizes continuity.

His ascension also underscores a generational shift: Coesfeld represents a younger leadership profile, with experience rooted in digital music, rights management, and new-age content monetization.

Who is Clément Schwebig? The global strategist returning home

Schwebig’s appointment as CEO of RTL Group represents a homecoming.
The French executive spent more than a decade at RTL in senior positions across Asia and Europe before joining Warner Bros. Discovery, where he rose to President and Managing Director for Western Europe and Africa.

His experience leading complex media territories and strengthening regional markets gives him a vantage point the company sees as vital for RTL’s future.

Rabe described him as“A leader with deep RTL roots and crucial insights into Asia, where Bertelsmann seeks further expansion.”

The legacy Rabe leaves behind

Rabe’s imprint on Bertelsmann is impossible to ignore. Under his leadership, the company shifted from traditional media into a diversified powerhouse, investing heavily in:

• Fremantle, producer of Idol, Got Talent, and the Oscar-winning Poor Things
• RTL+, the streaming service that recently surpassed 7 million paying subscribers
• Global content production pipelines across Europe, the U.S., and Asia

He pushed Bertelsmann to embrace digital content, international expansion, and a multi-format entertainment ecosystem — making the company more global than ever.

A turning point for European media

The 2027 transition doesn’t just mark a leadership change — it signals a shift in direction during a time of intense industry disruption.

Streaming wars are tightening.
Traditional broadcasters are fighting for relevance.
Content production is reshaping itself around data, rights, and artificial intelligence.

Coesfeld and Schwebig will inherit a company sitting at the crossroads of all three.

For Bertelsmann, the question now is simple:
Will the successors protect Rabe’s legacy — or redefine it?

If early reactions from inside the company are any indication, both executives appear ready for the challenge.

In a development that could reshape America’s autonomous transport landscape, Tesla has quietly obtained a “transportation network company” permit from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The approval, confirmed this week, allows the electric carmaker to take its next step toward launching a full-fledged ride-hailing service—possibly even its long-teased robotaxi fleet.

But as insiders point out, the real question now is whether Elon Musk can finally deliver on a promise he has repeated for nearly a decade: cars that drive themselves safely and commercially at scale.

A Big Step… But Not the Final One

According to ADOT, Tesla applied for the permit on November 13 and received approval just days later. While this allows the company to legally operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona, Tesla still needs additional approvals before launching fully driverless robotaxis on the state’s roads.

The timing is crucial. In Austin, Texas, Tesla has already begun a robotaxi pilot program—though the vehicles currently run with human safety drivers and remote operators. The company hopes to remove human monitors in Austin before the end of 2025, a move that would signal Tesla’s first “true” autonomous deployment.

A Race Tesla Isn’t Leading

Despite the hype, Tesla is trailing substantially behind rivals in the autonomous ride-hail sector.

Alphabet’s Waymo already operates 400+ driverless vehicles commercially in Phoenix and surpassed 10 million autonomous trips earlier this year—a milestone Tesla is nowhere near.

Meanwhile, in China, Baidu’s Apollo Go is recording explosive growth, reporting 3.1 million fully driverless rides in Q3 2025 alone, a 212% year-over-year surge.

Compared to them, Tesla’s pilot—still dependent on safety drivers—looks like an early prototype rather than a mature service.

Safety Concerns Still Loom Large

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that Tesla vehicles equipped with automated driving systems were involved in seven reported collisions since the pilot began in Texas. While no major injuries were reported, the incidents have heightened scrutiny as Tesla attempts to expand autonomy testing to cities like Phoenix.

Experts agree that the company must demonstrate consistently safe performance before regulators approve true driverless operations.

Musk’s Big Vision: ‘Text, Sleep and Drive’

At Tesla’s 2025 shareholder meeting, Elon Musk reiterated his long-standing dream of cars that can drive while passengers “text and drive” or even “sleep and drive.”

Yet even Musk acknowledged the technological gap that remains:

“Before we allow the car to be driven without paying attention, we need to make sure it’s very safe… We’re on the cusp of that.”

It wasn’t the first time he made such a claim—and critics note that Tesla has missed similar autonomy deadlines since 2016.

What Happens Next?

If Tesla successfully clears Arizona’s remaining regulatory barriers, Phoenix could become one of the first cities to host both Waymo’s and Tesla’s driverless fleets—setting up a real-world comparison of two very different approaches to autonomy:

• Waymo: sensor-heavy, super-mapped, fully driverless
• Tesla: camera-based, AI-first, still transitioning away from human oversight

For now, Tesla has the permit, the ambition, and the backing of the world’s richest and most outspoken tech CEO. What it doesn’t have—yet—is the proven track record of true autonomy that competitors already showcase.

But with the new Arizona approval, the clock is ticking.

For more Update DAILY GLOBAL DIARY

In a move that is already stirring political, economic, and automotive circles across the U.S., Toyota Motor has announced a sweeping $912 million investment across key American manufacturing hubs — a major step in its plan to pump up to $10 billion into the United States by 2030.

The timing of Toyota’s announcement is what has everyone talking. It arrived barely a week after the company confirmed expansion plans that echo promises previously highlighted by former U.S. President Donald Trump. And if that wasn’t enough, Toyota’s iconic chairman Akio Toyoda was recently photographed wearing a Make America Great Again cap and a Trump-themed T-shirt at Japan’s Fuji Speedway during a racing event.

Was it symbolism? A message? Or just a coincidence? The internet certainly doesn’t think so.

A Major Investment Into Hybrid America

According to Toyota’s official announcement, the new $912 million package will be spread across five Southern U.S. states, as the automaker doubles down on hybrid vehicle production — an area where it currently dominates with over 51% market share, per Motor Intelligence data.

The largest single investment will go to:

• $453 million for Toyota’s Buffalo, West Virginia plant, where the company plans to expand production of four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines.

Other key expansions include:

• $204.4 million in Georgetown, Kentucky for hybrid engine assembly
• $125 million in Blue Springs, Mississippi to include hybrid Corolla models

These investments are expected to create 252 new U.S. jobs, strengthening Toyota’s footprint at a time when the entire auto industry is wrestling with electric vehicle regulations, consumer demand shifts, and tariff-driven market unpredictability.

“Build Where We Sell” — Toyota Doubles Down on Its Philosophy

In the company’s press release, Kevin Voelkel — Senior Vice President of Toyota Motor North America — emphasized that the company is reacting to strong hybrid demand.

“Customers are embracing Toyota’s hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are gearing up to meet that growing demand,” Voelkel said.
“Toyota’s philosophy is to build where we sell, and by adding more American jobs and investing across our U.S. footprint, we stay true to that philosophy.”

Hybrids have surged in popularity as EV skepticism grows over charging infrastructure, battery lifespan, and rising vehicle costs — challenges even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has acknowledged publicly in recent months.

The Akio Toyoda ‘MAGA’ Moment: Coincidence or Messaging?

Just days before Toyota’s investment announcement, a surprising image went viral: Akio Toyoda wearing a red MAGA hat and Trump-shirt, smiling beside U.S. Ambassador George Glass at a racing event.

According to Automotive News, Toyoda even addressed the crowd with a remark that caught attention:

“I’m not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad… We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone.”

Given President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies on auto imports and parts — a strategy he insists protects American manufacturing — many are reading Toyota’s moves as a sign of strategic alignment with what could become U.S. policy again in the near future.

A Balancing Act in a Turbulent Industry

Toyota’s latest expansion underscores a delicate moment for the global auto sector. Regulatory turbulence, rapid EV pivots, and tariff uncertainty have pushed companies to rethink long-term strategies.

Even as the U.S. government pushes for electrification, Toyota’s hybrid-first approach — rooted in the legacy of the Toyota Prius — appears validated by soaring hybrid sales.

For now, Toyota is threading the needle:

• Investing heavily in America
• Leaning into hybrid demand
• Navigating political optics that could influence future market conditions
• And quietly preparing for any administration changes in 2026

The Bottom Line

Toyota’s $912 million push isn’t just a corporate investment — it’s a strategic chess move at a time when politics, energy, and automotive innovation are colliding at full speed.

Whether Akio Toyoda’s MAGA shirt was playful fandom or a subtle political signal, one thing is clear:
Toyota plans to stay deeply embedded in the American auto industry, no matter who ends up in the White House.

For more Update DAILY GLOBAL DIARY