- Radhakrishnan Kodakkal takes charge of DTICI as Managing Director and CEO.
- Leadership transition highlights India’s growing role in Daimler Truck’s global engineering network.
The Daimler Truck Innovation Center India CEO appointment marks a significant leadership transition at the Bengaluru-based development hub. Radhakrishnan Kodakkal has been named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI), effective March 9, 2026. He succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who has moved to the global role of Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck AG.
DTICI is one of the largest engineering and technology centres in the global network of Daimler Truck, supporting product engineering, software development, digital platforms, and IT operations across multiple markets.
Leadership Change at a Strategic Engineering Hub
In his new role, Kodakkal will oversee engineering and digital activities at DTICI while working closely with global product engineering, technology, and IT teams across the organisation. His mandate includes strengthening India's role in software development, digital platforms, and advanced engineering capabilities.
These areas have become increasingly critical as the global commercial vehicle industry transitions toward electrification, connected technologies, and software-driven vehicle architectures.
Extensive Global Technology Leadership Experience
Kodakkal brings more than three decades of experience in technology leadership, engineering management, and research and development across multinational organisations.
Previous Role at Whirlpool Corporation
Before joining DTICI, 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 led global technology planning, R&D operations, and innovation programmes across several regions.
His experience also includes leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives and advancing connected and sustainable technology platforms, capabilities that align closely with the evolving needs of the commercial vehicle sector.
Recognition from Daimler Truck Leadership
Thomas Ulm, Chairman of DTICI, stated that Kodakkal's experience makes him well suited to guide the centre during its next phase of development. According to Ulm, the centre has become an important part of the company's global engineering and IT ecosystem.
He also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing CEO Raghavendra Vaidya, noting that under Vaidya’s leadership DTICI evolved into a critical innovation and delivery hub supporting the company’s worldwide operations.
Growing Role of India in Global Truck Technology
The development centre was established in December 2021 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, a city widely recognised for its engineering talent and technology ecosystem. Since its formation, the centre has expanded steadily and now supports multiple brands and product programmes across global markets.
DTICI contributes to engineering development, digital platforms, and IT services that support commercial vehicle innovation across the organisation.
The Daimler Truck Innovation Center India CEO appointment reflects the company’s broader strategy of strengthening its engineering, software, and digital capabilities in India while preparing for the next generation of connected and software-defined commercial vehicles.
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