Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition at the company’s Bengaluru-based engineering and technology hub. In this role, he will lead innovation, engineering, and advanced technology initiatives while supporting the strategic growth of Daimler Truck’s global technology and mobility ecosystem through its India operations.
Kodakkal succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who has moved into the position of Global Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck AG. The leadership change comes as the organisation continues to expand its global engineering and digital capabilities, with India playing an increasingly important role in its product development and technology network.
As CEO, Kodakkal will oversee efforts to strengthen DTICI’s engineering, software development, and digital platform capabilities. His responsibilities will also include enhancing collaboration with Daimler Truck’s global product engineering, technology, and IT teams to support the development of next-generation mobility solutions.
Daimler Truck Innovation Center India was established in December 2021 and focuses on product engineering and IT development for Daimler Truck’s global brands. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the centre leverages India’s engineering and technology talent to contribute to the company’s global innovation and technology initiatives.
Kodakkal brings more than three decades of experience in engineering, technology strategy, and research and development across multinational organisations. Prior to joining DTICI, he was associated with Whirlpool Corporation, where he served as Global Head of Integrated Technology and Vice President & Head of the Global Technology & Engineering Center. In that capacity, he led global technology planning and oversaw research and engineering operations across multiple regions, driving initiatives focused on connected and intelligent product systems.
Earlier in his career, he spent nearly 15 years with Philips, holding several global R&D leadership roles. Among them, he served as Global R&D Leader for Diagnostic X-Ray and Surgery Imaging, where he contributed to the development of advanced healthcare technologies and imaging solutions.
His professional journey also includes roles at ICT Group and ABB, where he developed extensive expertise in engineering leadership, innovation management, and technology-driven transformation.
Announcing the appointment, Thomas Ulm, Chairman of Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, said Kodakkal’s experience would help strengthen the centre’s role within the company’s global technology network.
“Radhakrishnan brings deep expertise in technology and engineering, complemented by strong global leadership experience and a proven ability to build and scale innovation,” Ulm said.
“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 across the global Daimler Truck ecosystem.”
Ulm also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing CEO Raghavendra Vaidya, noting that the centre had grown into an important part of Daimler Truck’s global technology organisation during his tenure.
 has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer...){kind=link}