DICV Appoints Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra as Head of R&D, Takes Key Global Engineering Role
Add CMV360 on GoogleDICV appoints Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra as Head of R&D and Mercedes-Benz Trucks Global Engineering Backbone Head to strengthen India-global engineering collaboration.
By Robin Kumar Attri
Key Highlights
Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra appointed DICV R&D Head.
He will also lead Engineering Backbone globally for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
He brings more than two decades of Daimler experience.
His career spans engineering roles across Europe and Asia.
Focus will be on India-global engineering integration and ISEAA needs.
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has appointed Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra as its new Head of Research & Development (R&D). Along with this role, he will also take charge as Global Head of Engineering Backbone at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The new dual responsibility is aimed at strengthening coordination between DICV, the Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India (DTICI), and Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Cuadra will focus on aligning engineering processes across markets and connecting India's engineering capabilities more closely with Daimler Truck's global engineering network.
Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra to Lead DICV R&D
In his new role, Cuadra will work across DICV, DTICI and Mercedes-Benz Trucks to improve engineering collaboration and integrate processes across different markets.
His responsibilities will include supporting R&D activities at DICV while ensuring that India's engineering capabilities contribute more closely to Mercedes-Benz Trucks' global engineering priorities. The role will also focus on the product and technology requirements of the India, South-East Asia and Australia-Pacific (ISEAA) region.
DICV acts as the anchor entity for the ISEAA customer region within the Mercedes-Benz Trucks segment. Cuadra's role will therefore involve connecting the engineering capabilities of DICV and DTICI with the wider global engineering network.
Cuadra Brings Extensive Mercedes-Benz Trucks Experience
Before taking up his new position, Cuadra held several senior leadership roles at Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Germany and Türkiye.
His experience includes manufacturing engineering, product preparation, buildability validation, ramp-up management and series support. He has also worked on R&D activities related to pneumatic lines and wiring geometries.
Across these roles, Cuadra has been involved in cross-border engineering collaboration, process optimisation and the development of operating structures across different markets.
His experience also extends to Asia. During assignments in Japan and India, he worked on lean capabilities, Kaizen practices and manufacturing initiatives. At FUSO Japan, he was responsible for production preparation and supported vehicle launches, including the eCanter electric truck.
Engineering Career Spanning Europe and Asia
Cuadra holds dual degrees in Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the Technical Universities of Madrid and Munich.
He joined Daimler in 2005 as a career trainee at the Mercedes-Benz Trucks plant in Wörth, Germany. Since then, he has taken up leadership positions across manufacturing engineering, powertrain operations, production preparation and ramp management.
His career across Europe and Asia has given him experience in both manufacturing and engineering functions, along with exposure to vehicle launches, production processes and international engineering operations.
DICV to Strengthen India's Link With Global Engineering
DICV Managing Director and CEO Torsten Schmidt said Cuadra's international engineering experience will support the company's R&D activities and collaboration with engineering teams across different markets.
Schmidt also highlighted the opportunity to integrate India's engineering capabilities more closely into the wider Mercedes-Benz Trucks engineering network.
Cuadra said his focus will be on strengthening collaboration between DICV, DTICI and Daimler Truck's global engineering network, while supporting the specific requirements of the ISEAA region.
With Cuadra handling both DICV R&D and the Global Head of Engineering Backbone role, the company aims to create stronger links between its Indian engineering operations and Mercedes-Benz Trucks global development priorities.
CMV360 Says
Alejandro Rodriguez Cuadra's appointment strengthens DICV's connection with Mercedes-Benz Trucks global engineering operations. His experience across manufacturing, R&D, production preparation and international projects will support closer collaboration between DICV, DTICI and global teams. The new dual role is expected to help integrate India's engineering capabilities into global programmes while addressing the product and technology requirements of the ISEAA region.
Robin Kumar Attri is a content and video professional with 2.7 years of experience in the commercial vehicle d .....
