Ex-Daimler Engineer Files $2M Discrimination Suit
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Clark County, Washington, man who worked for Daimler Trucks North America in Portland, Oregon, is suing the company for $2 million, claiming his supervisor repeatedly called him “bin Laden” and suggested he was a member of al-Qaida, reported The Detroit News. The Oregonian newspaper reports that the lawsuit by Hussein Fouad, ... Read More »
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Clark County, Washington, man who worked for Daimler Trucks North America in Portland, Oregon, is suing the company for $2 million, claiming his supervisor repeatedly called him “bin Laden” and suggested he was a member of al-Qaida, reported The Detroit News.
The Oregonian newspaper reports that the lawsuit by Hussein Fouad, a 75-year-old, Egyptian-born engineer, is the latest alleging discrimination at the German company’s operations in Portland.
In January, Daimler agreed to pay $2.4 million to settle complaints filed by six former workers who said they were the targets of racist or homophobic slurs, Nazi graffiti and threats. In February, four current or former workers who are black filed a $9.5 million claim, saying they were targeted with nooses, greeted with a “Heil Hitler” salute or otherwise harassed.
Company spokesman Dave Giroux declined to comment on the allegations but noted the company cooperated with a state investigation into civil rights complaints that led to January’s settlement.
Fouad’s lawsuit states he worked for the company from 2012 to 2014, and was recognized for saving the company more than $1 million a year for suggesting it use aluminum wire instead of copper wire in some of its electrical connections.
The suit claims he received a positive performance review in his first year, but after receiving a new supervisor, his work situation rapidly deteriorated. It says his supervisor repeatedly asked him about his age and retirement plans, mocked his accent and suggested that he was sympathetic with Osama bin Laden.
Despite Fouad’s strong job performance, his supervisor put him on a “performance improvement plan” as part of a mission to get rid of Fouad, the suit says. Four months later, he was fired.
Fouad seeks $1 million in lost wages and benefits, plus $1 million for emotional distress.
The truck company is a subsidiary of German automotive giant Daimler AG.
More Industry

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record
The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.
Read More →
War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices
Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.
Read More →
Bridge the Maintenance Gap
With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.
Read More →
California Store Has New Owner
The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.
Read More →
BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.
Read More →
Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →