Daimler Truck Innovation Center India Appoints Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as New MD & CEO Amid Global Leadership Transition

Key Highlights

• Radhakrishnan Kodakkal was appointed MD & CEO of Daimler Truck Innovation Center India from March 9, 2026.

• He succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who becomes Global CIO at Daimler Truck AG.

• Kodakkal brings 30+ years of experience in technology, engineering, and R&D leadership.

• DTICI supports global product engineering, software, digital platforms, and IT operations.

• The move strengthens Daimler Truck’s strategy to expand engineering and innovation in India.

In a significant leadership change, Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment became effective on March 9, 2026, marking an important transition at one of the company’s largest engineering and technology hubs outside Germany.

Kodakkal takes over the leadership role from Raghavendra Vaidya, who has been promoted to the position of Global Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck AG.

Leadership Transition at Daimler Truck’s Key India Hub

The appointment highlights the growing importance of India in the global technology and engineering strategy of Daimler Truck AG. DTICI, headquartered in Bengaluru, plays a central role in supporting the company’s global engineering, software development, and IT operations.

As the new MD and CEO, Kodakkal will lead the centre’s engineering and digital operations. His role will also involve working closely with Daimler Truck’s global product engineering, technology, and IT teams. One of his key responsibilities will be to strengthen India’s contribution across engineering, software development, digital platforms, and IT services.

These areas are becoming increasingly important as the commercial vehicle industry undergoes rapid technological transformation.

Three Decades of Global Technology Leadership

Radhakrishnan Kodakkal brings more than 30 years of global experience in technology, engineering, and research and development. Before joining DTICI, he worked at Whirlpool Corporation, where he served as Global Head of Integrated Technology and Vice President, and also led the Global Technology and Engineering Center.

In that role, he managed global technology planning, R&D operations, and innovation programs across multiple regions. His work included leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives and developing connected and sustainable technology solutions.

His extensive experience in engineering leadership and global innovation is expected to help DTICI further strengthen its role in Daimler Truck’s worldwide technology ecosystem.

Leadership Confidence from DTICI Chairman

According to Thomas Ulm, Chairman of DTICI, Kodakkal’s experience makes him well suited to lead the organisation during its next phase of growth.

Ulm stated that DTICI continues to play a central role in Daimler Truck’s global engineering and IT network. He expressed confidence that Kodakkal’s leadership will strengthen the centre’s position as a trusted innovation and delivery hub for the company.

He also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing CEO Raghavendra Vaidya. Under Vaidya’s leadership, DTICI evolved into a critical part of Daimler Truck’s global operations. With his new role as Global CIO at Daimler Truck AG, both leaders are expected to continue working closely together.

Kodakkal on the Future of the Automotive Industry

Speaking about his appointment, Kodakkal highlighted that the automotive sector is currently undergoing a major technological shift.

He noted that the industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation and that this is an exciting time to be involved in shaping its future. He also said he plans to build on DTICI’s existing capabilities and collaborate with global teams to develop technology solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and ready for future mobility needs.

DTICI’s Growing Role in Global Engineering and Technology

DTICI was established in December 2021 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, a city known as one of India’s leading technology and engineering hubs.

Since its establishment, the centre has grown into a major development hub supporting all Daimler Truck brands across global markets. Its work focuses on product engineering, software development, and information technology services that support the company’s commercial vehicle operations worldwide.

India’s Expanding Role in Daimler Truck’s Global Strategy

The leadership change reflects Daimler Truck’s broader strategy of strengthening its engineering and digital capabilities in India. The country is increasingly becoming a key location for global technology development, innovation, and IT delivery.

As the commercial vehicle industry moves toward electrification, connected technologies, and software-driven systems, development centres like DTICI are playing a vital role in shaping future products and digital platforms.

With Kodakkal now leading the organisation, the Bengaluru-based centre is expected to further expand its role within Daimler Truck’s global engineering and innovation network.

Also Read: Uber Launches Intercity Bus Ticketing in India, First Global Rollout

CMV360 Says

The appointment of Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as MD and CEO of the Daimler Truck Innovation Center India signals the company’s strong focus on expanding its engineering and digital capabilities in the country. With over three decades of global technology leadership, Kodakkal is expected to strengthen DTICI’s role in product engineering, software development, and IT operations while supporting Daimler Truck’s transformation toward electrification, connectivity, and software-driven commercial vehicle technologies worldwide.