EXCLUSIVE: Daimler veteran Michael Benz joins Tata Motors CV Biz, to steer development of new generation engines

Michael Benz, a veteran engine specialist from the global truck maker Daimler AG has joined Tata Motors to lead its Power Systems Engineering Division for the commercial vehicle business as the company strives to stay ahead in the alternate fuel business.

Benz takes charge as the Vice President of the division from Milind Peshave, who retires this month having served Tata Motors for over three and half decades.  

Benz will report to president and CTO Rajendra Petkar and will be based out of Pune. He has completed his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany and his MBA from college in Wuerzberg, Germany.

With research and development (R&D) leadership experience of over two and half decades, Benz has worked across multiple countries including Germany, US, Brazil and India for Daimler Trucks.

He has developed the EU VI natural gas engine for Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles and he was also responsible for the transition of full range of BS VI engines for Bharat Benz in India.

Before joining Tata Motors, in his last assignment at Daimler, Benz was leading the design of Transaxle, classic engines and clutches with an additional design responsibility of light duty axles and e-axles.

In an official response, Tata Motors spokesperson confirmed the development and said, engineering innovation and excellence is deeply embedded in the DNA of Tata Motors.

“To provide greater thrust and remain ahead of the curve, we are growing our technology talent internally as well as bringing in the best of international talent with a rich understanding of emerging trends and experience of working on advanced, new age technologies. With Tata Motors being in growth mode, every business is becoming more solution oriented, customer centric and future ready to avail the opportunities ahead with a sharper focus,” added the spokesperson.

Benz will play a critical role in the design, development and execution of over half a dozen new age powertrains for the commercial vehicle business right from diesel, CNG, hydrogen ICE and hydrogen fuel cell including EVs.

The country’s largest commercial vehicle maker annually invests over Rs 1,500 and 2,000 crore in the R&D and almost a third of this investment is likely to go into new age powertrains, as Tata Motors moves towards its target of reducing Co2 emissions by 30 percent by the end of this decade.

Peshave retires after serving the company for over 37 years. Over the years Peshave, delivered many critical programmes right from petrol, diesel and CNG engines as well as transmission and the e mobility solution across both the car and truck division.

He also set up the Advance PSE lab and the infrastructure for fuel cell and electric mobility. Under Peshave's leadership the company successfully transitioned from BS IV to BS VI engines.