Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, operational management, financial oversight, human resources coordination, and executive administration.

Focused on advancing automotive innovation, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India drives global engineering excellence through cutting-edge research and development initiatives across the Indian market.

Leadership Roles at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India

  • 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
  • Chief of Staff To the Chief Human Resources Officer - Pratyaksha Srivastava
  • Manu Saale - Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

    Manu Saale, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, directs all strategic operations and engineering initiatives. Overseeing the entire research center, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with global Daimler objectives while fostering local innovation. This leadership role involves managing complex cross-functional teams to deliver advanced automotive software and hardware solutions. By optimizing internal processes, Manu Saale directly impacts the efficiency of product development cycles. The Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer maintains high standards for technical excellence, ensuring the organization remains a premier hub for automotive technology. Through consistent focus on scalable engineering, Saale secures the long-term competitive advantage of the company within the global automotive landscape, driving significant growth across the entire Indian research and development ecosystem.
    Manu Saale

    Ulf Nestler - Chief Financial Officer

    Ulf Nestler, the Chief Financial Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, manages all fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial reporting activities. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures rigorous compliance with international accounting standards while supporting the capital requirements of large-scale engineering projects. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to optimize investment in new technologies and infrastructure. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, Ulf Nestler directly impacts the long-term sustainability of the research center. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive board to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that financial strategies support the company's commitment to automotive innovation. Through precise financial forecasting and risk management, Nestler secures the necessary funding to sustain the company's competitive position within the global research and development sector.
    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, manages administrative workflows and cross-departmental communication for two critical leadership functions. Overseeing the scheduling and documentation for financial and human resources initiatives, the Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that both departments operate with maximum efficiency. This role involves coordinating high-level meetings and tracking project timelines to support the strategic objectives of the CFO and CHRO. By facilitating seamless information flow, Deepali Vikas enables the leadership team to focus on core business outcomes. The Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer maintains organizational standards for internal reporting, ensuring that all administrative tasks align with the company's broader operational goals and corporate governance requirements.

    DawiDowskY. Elo - President

    DawiDowskY. Elo, the President at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, provides overarching leadership and strategic direction for the entire research and development center. Overseeing the long-term vision and market positioning, the President ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of automotive innovation. This role involves representing the company in high-level industry forums and managing relationships with global stakeholders to drive collaborative growth. By setting the tone for corporate culture and technical excellence, DawiDowskY. Elo directly impacts the company's reputation as a leader in engineering solutions. The President monitors the progress of major R&D initiatives, ensuring that all departments contribute to the company's mission of advancing mobility technology. Through decisive leadership and a focus on future-oriented strategies, Elo secures the organization's status as a critical pillar of the global Daimler research network.

    Harsh Paliwal - Chief of Staff

    Harsh Paliwal, the Chief of Staff at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, coordinates high-level strategic projects and organizational workflows. Managing the daily operations of the executive office, the Chief of Staff ensures seamless communication between leadership tiers and various engineering departments. This role involves synthesizing complex data to support decision-making processes for the senior management team. By streamlining internal governance, Harsh Paliwal enhances the overall agility of the research center. The Chief of Staff monitors key performance indicators to track progress on critical R&D milestones, ensuring that departmental goals align with the broader corporate mission. Through meticulous planning and resource allocation, Paliwal facilitates the execution of large-scale projects, maintaining operational stability while supporting the rapid expansion of technical capabilities across the organization's diverse research portfolios.

    Pratyaksha Srivastava - Chief of Staff To the Chief Human Resources Officer

    Pratyaksha Srivastava, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Human Resources Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India, directs the operational execution of human capital strategies and talent management initiatives. Overseeing the implementation of organizational development programs, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the company's evolving technical requirements. This role involves managing complex HR projects, including recruitment scaling and employee engagement frameworks, to support the research center's growth. By optimizing internal talent workflows, Pratyaksha Srivastava directly impacts the productivity and retention of the engineering teams. The Chief of Staff To the Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with senior leadership to translate corporate vision into actionable human resources policies, ensuring that the organization attracts and retains top-tier talent within the competitive 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 Manu Saale (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Ulf Nestler (Chief Financial Officer) and Deepali Vikas (Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources 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 Manu Saale (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer), Ulf Nestler (Chief Financial Officer), Deepali Vikas (Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources 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 Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Assistant To Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer, President, Chief of Staff.