Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 9, 2026. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition at the Bengaluru-based centre, one of Daimler Truck's largest development hubs outside Germany. Kodakkal succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who has been elevated to the role of global Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck AG.

In his new position, Kodakkal will oversee DTICI's engineering and digital operations and work in close collaboration with Daimler Truck's global product engineering, technology, and IT teams. His mandate includes strengthening and expanding India's contribution across engineering, software, digital platforms, and IT operations — areas that have grown in strategic importance for the parent company as the automotive industry undergoes a period of broad technological change.

Kodakkal brings more than three decades of leadership experience in technology, engineering, and research and development across multinational organisations. Most recently, he served as Global Head of Integrated Technology and Vice President and Head of the Global Technology and Engineering Center at Whirlpool Corporation. In that role, he was responsible for global technology planning, R&D operations, and cross-functional innovation programmes spanning multiple regions. He has also been involved in large-scale digital transformation efforts and the development of connected and sustainable technology solutions.

Thomas Ulm, Chairman of DTICI, said Kodakkal's background made him well suited to lead the centre at this stage of its growth. "As DTICI continues to play a central role in Daimler Truck's global engineering and IT network, we are confident that his leadership will further strengthen DTICI's position as a trusted innovation and delivery hub," Ulm said. He also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing CEO Raghavendra Vaidya, stating that under Vaidya's guidance, DTICI had grown into an integral part of Daimler Truck's global operations. The two leaders are expected to continue working together, given Vaidya's new CIO responsibilities at the group level.

Speaking about his appointment, Kodakkal said the timing was significant given the scale of change underway in the automotive sector. "The automotive industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation and there's no better time to be part of it than now," he said. He added that he intended to build on DTICI's established capabilities and work with colleagues across the globe to deliver technology solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and prepared for future demands.

The leadership change comes as DTICI continues to expand its footprint within Daimler Truck's global structure. The centre was established in December 2021 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, a city that has emerged as a major base for engineering and technology talent in India. Since its founding, DTICI has grown into a core development hub that supports all Daimler Truck brands across global markets, with a focus on product engineering and information technology.

The appointment reflects Daimler Truck's broader strategy of deepening its investment in India as a location for engineering capability, digital innovation, and IT delivery. As the global trucking and commercial vehicle sector shifts toward electrification, connectivity, and software-driven systems, centres like DTICI are playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping the company's long-term product and technology roadmap.