Mercedes-Benz R&D India’s new Bangalore unit is Daimler’s single-largest R&D facility outside of Germany

Bangalore, February 22, 2013: Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has inaugurated its new facility at Whitefield, Bangalore. Spread over 20,000 square metres with capacity to house 1,800 people, this is the single largest R&D facility of Daimler outside of Germany.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management, Daimler AG and Head of Group Research, Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, commented: "MBRDI is one of our most important hubs within the global research and development organisation and the new facility will be a cornerstone for leveraging the Indian talent pool for Daimler. As a global development centre, the contribution of MBRDI can be envisaged from the fact that in 2012 alone, the organisation filed over 50 patents for innovations in automotive development- a powerful testimony to MBRDI’s success". He also stated that “India is a high potential market for Mercedes-Benz and MBRDI will continue to ensure that development initiatives are in cognizance with the needs of upcoming markets.” MBRDI has been involved with some of Daimler’s cutting-edge projects. A case in point is the company’s leadership towards ‘Human Body Modeling (HBM) System’. The HBM simulation under development and testing at MBRDI, considers “almost” every possible combination of accident variables from biomechanics and the physical properties of human tissues to accident statistics and the physics of crash situations. HBM is a key pillar supporting Daimler’s vision of accident-free driving.

MBRDI has been involved in many areas of Daimler’s R&D engagements including component development of parts and modules for the new-generation cars from Mercedes-Benz. The integral seats of the newly launched A-class and the seats of the new CLA are a few examples of end-to-end projects lead by the MBRDI team.

Dr. Jens Cattarius, managing director and CEO of MBRDI, stated: "Indian talent needs no introduction- and the success story of MBRDI proves this point. As a global organisation it is essential to harness local capabilities; it is from this perspective that MBRDI and its long association with India plays a pivotal role. We started in 1996 with only 10 employees; we have grown with a CAGR of 34 percent and today have a 1,200 strong employee base. We are looking forward to a period of robust growth in India and as such, the Indian talent pool will continue to play an even more dominant role in the months and years ahead. The new facility offers best-in-class infrastructure and houses all our scientists and researchers in a centralised location, essential ingredients to further catalyse cross-functional collaborations and shorten development cycles. We are excited about the prospects ahead and look forward to a period of even steeper growth ahead of us".

Photograph: Prof.Dr. Thomas Weber (member of the Board of Management, Daimler AG and Head of Group Research, Mercedes-Benz Cars Development) hands over the key to Dr Jens Cattarius (MD and CEO of MBRDI) at the inauguration of Mercedes-Benz's largest R&D Centre of Daimler outside Germany, in Bangalore.