Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India has 6 executives leading key functions including strategic oversight, operational management, administrative coordination, financial planning, human resources support, and corporate governance.

Focused on pioneering automotive innovation, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India drives the future of mobility through advanced engineering, software development, and digital transformation initiatives across global markets.

Leadership Roles at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India

  • Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo - El Sium
  • Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer - Manu Saale
  • Chief Financial Officer - Ulf Nestler
  • Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer - Deepali Vikas
  • President - DawiDowskY. Elo
  • Chief of Staff - Harsh Paliwal
  • El Sium - Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo

    El Sium, the Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, directs high-level strategic initiatives focused on organizational integrity and ethical standards. By architecting frameworks that ensure compliance across all research divisions, the Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo maintains alignment with global Daimler standards. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the board to refine corporate policies and mitigate operational risks. El Sium monitors the implementation of internal governance protocols to foster a culture of accountability. Through rigorous oversight of departmental conduct, the Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo secures the long-term reputation of the center. By integrating ethical considerations into the core research and development lifecycle, the executive ensures that all technological advancements remain consistent with corporate values. This focus on structural integrity supports the broader mission of delivering sustainable and responsible automotive solutions within the competitive Indian market.

    Manu Saale - Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

    Manu Saale, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, oversees the entire spectrum of research and development operations. By driving the expansion of software and hardware engineering capabilities, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer ensures the center remains a critical hub for global automotive innovation. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to accelerate the delivery of next-generation vehicle technologies. Manu Saale manages the strategic roadmap for regional growth, ensuring that engineering outputs meet the high-performance standards required by the parent organization. By fostering partnerships with local technology ecosystems, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer enhances the center's capacity for rapid prototyping and digital integration. This comprehensive approach to management supports the company's objective of leading the transition toward autonomous and connected mobility solutions while maintaining operational excellence across all technical departments.
    Manu Saale

    Ulf Nestler - Chief Financial Officer

    Ulf Nestler, the Chief Financial Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, manages the financial health and fiscal strategy of the research center. By overseeing capital allocation and budgetary planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources support the most critical engineering and software development projects. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to forecast financial requirements for future technology investments. Ulf Nestler directs the financial reporting processes to maintain transparency and compliance with international standards. By optimizing cost structures, the Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to scale its research capabilities efficiently. This role requires close collaboration with other C-suite leaders to align financial goals with the company's long-term innovation roadmap. Through rigorous fiscal management, the executive secures the stability needed to pursue ambitious R&D objectives, ultimately driving the financial performance of the center within the broader Daimler network.
    Ulf Nestler

    Deepali Vikas - Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer

    Deepali Vikas, the Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, facilitates the operational synergy between financial planning and human capital management. By coordinating administrative support for both departments, the Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that talent acquisition strategies align with budgetary constraints. This leadership role involves managing complex schedules and communication channels to keep the executive team focused on strategic objectives. Deepali Vikas monitors the progress of key HR and finance initiatives, providing the necessary support to ensure timely execution. By streamlining the interaction between these two critical functions, the executive enhances organizational efficiency. This role involves maintaining high standards of documentation and process management to support the center's growth. Through diligent coordination, the executive ensures that the leadership team remains effective in managing the workforce and financial assets.

    DawiDowskY. Elo - President

    DawiDowskY. Elo, the President at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, provides overarching vision and leadership for the center's long-term strategic direction. By championing innovation in automotive technology, the President drives the organization toward achieving its goals in software-defined vehicle development. This leadership role involves representing the center in global forums and ensuring that regional research efforts contribute significantly to the parent company's worldwide success. DawiDowskY. Elo fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across all engineering teams. By setting the tone for corporate culture and professional development, the President ensures that the center attracts and retains top-tier talent. This role requires balancing immediate operational needs with the pursuit of future-oriented research projects. Through strategic guidance and high-level decision-making, the executive maintains the center's position as a premier destination for automotive research and development, ensuring that all activities align with the company's commitment to technological leadership.

    Harsh Paliwal - Chief of Staff

    Harsh Paliwal, the Chief of Staff at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates communication between senior leadership and departmental heads. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive immediate attention and resources. This leadership role involves managing complex projects that span multiple engineering disciplines, requiring constant synchronization with the Managing Director. Harsh Paliwal optimizes the flow of information to support data-driven decision-making across the organization. By overseeing administrative efficiency, the Chief of Staff enables the leadership team to focus on long-term innovation goals. This role involves monitoring the execution of corporate initiatives to ensure alignment with the broader research mission. Through the management of high-priority tasks and cross-departmental collaboration, the executive maintains the operational rhythm necessary for the center to sustain its competitive edge in the global automotive research landscape.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India?
    Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India is led by El Sium (Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo), along with executives such as Manu Saale (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer) and Ulf Nestler (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India’s executive team?
    The executive team of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India includes leaders such as El Sium (Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo), Manu Saale (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer), Ulf Nestler (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India have?
    Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer Del Razzismo, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer, President.