Investors are pressing for changes at Daimler amid frustration that the car and truckmaker and has been unable to close the gap with its German rivals in the premium auto sector.

On the eve of the group's 2012 results, several investors have expressed concern about the quality of oversight at Daimler, its operational management and its performance in China.

Daimler is more exposed to shareholder pressure than its rivals. This is because, unlike BMW or Volkswagen, it does not have a big family anchor investor.

"There are a couple of activist shareholders in there and they're applying pressure," a German banker said.

"They could create an uncomfortable situation for the board." - Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2013