Mercedes-Benz India research unit aims at 58 percent growth

Mercedes Benz India research unit has aimed to increase its business by 58% in the next 12 months, After the German car maker has assigned Indian to head its incubation facility for the first time in 18 years. The Bangalore-based Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) believes that with the increased R& D in the passenger cars segment they would achieve their target comfortably.

"This centre (Bangalore) is key in terms of being the eyes and ears of when the Indian market is going to be ready engineering-wise," said Manu Saale, CEO-designate of the centre. "We are investing all our know-how heavily here."

MBRDI’s approach emphasise the trend of overseas engineering companies, including captive units in India. The country had 874 engineering R&D captive centres by 2012, out of which 6% were in autos, according to data maintained by management advisory firm Zinnov. These captive centres' growth had been increased from $8.3 billion in 2011 to $9.3 billion in 2012, a hike of 11%.

"We have very good promises holding out from passenger cars, trucks and IT. Leading the pack is surely passenger cars because of the first steps that they have taken here," said 41-year-old Saale, who earlier worked at German company Bosch.