Kallenius sees India as a key growth engine for Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz, led by Ola Kallenius, is eyeing significant growth in India, describing it as a “tremendous success” for the company. They plan to invest in infrastructure and introduce the right products to tap into India’s growth story, as per a report from The Economic Times. With record-breaking sales in 2022, Mercedes-Benz, holding a nearly 50% market share in India’s luxury vehicle segment, is poised for another successful year in 2023.
Kallenius recognizes India’s potential for long-term growth, thanks to its demographic advantage and policies promoting electrification. Although the company currently relies on a high-tech internal combustion portfolio, Kallenius acknowledges that the future in India is electric. Mercedes-Benz already offers four electric car models in India and is investing in charging infrastructure.

Globally, Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce two all-electric vehicles on the Mercedes Modular Architecture, with the Concept CLA set to launch in 2025, simultaneously in India and worldwide. The company’s extensive research and development efforts, with a significant team based in Bengaluru, are contributing to global projects, particularly in data security as the automotive industry shifts towards electric, connected, and autonomous technologies.
Kallenius emphasizes India’s advantage in terms of available human capital compared to aging economies in the West. He also highlights the need for more growth-oriented labor policies in Germany, cautioning against imposing restrictions that could hinder competitiveness with countries like India, China, and the United States. Kallenius calls for structured immigration policies in Europe to attract talent from around the world to address labor shortages and promote economic growth.