Not about the prospects for the global truck industry, which we deem to be imperially screwed at least for the next six to eight quarters. And before anyone has a pop about us talking the business down, we would point out that we haven't been telling truck buyers tall tales of long lead times. So there.

No, it's all about the personnel, and this news that Christer Gardell, he of Cevian Capital and a regular star of Leif Johansson's nightmares (see WTBs passim) is giving thought to taking a bit of Daimler.

CG is something of an activist investor; indeed, a look at the Cevian website offers this insight into its strategy:

Cevian Capital is an active ownership investment firm creating value by (i) acquiring substantial ownership positions in undervalued public companies and (ii) realizing their long term value potential through active ownership.

For 'active ownership', we read not speaking in a passive voice at shareholder meetings, and the thought of CG paggaring it out with the Daimler Board of Management is one that should bring comfort to us all in these troubled times. Probably worth buying a share or two just to get invited along to watch.

(Author's note: This last observation is neither an exhortation nor a solicitation to buy stock in Daimler AG, AB Volvo or any other truck manufacturing company.  Other truck stocks are available.)