Staff Writer
Chennai: Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has announced a major leadership transition, appointing Torsten Schmidt as its next Managing Director and CEO, effective early 2026. Schmidt will succeed Satyakam Arya, who has been named the designated President and CEO of Hino Motors in Japan.
Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, Schmidt brings over 28 years of experience within the Daimler Group, having joined the company in 1997 after completing his studies in Industrial Engineering and Management in Germany and the UK. Over the years, he has held senior leadership roles across multiple continents—including Germany, India, Japan, and Brazil—gaining deep expertise in production, sales, and central functions across Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and Daimler Truck Asia. His career has been marked by a strong focus on business transformation and end-to-end commercial vehicle operations, including overseeing Finance and Controlling for Daimler Truck’s operations in Japan prior to his current assignment in Brazil..
Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, welcomed Schmidt’s appointment, highlighting his global and intercultural expertise, strategic vision, and financial acumen as ideal attributes to drive DICV’s future growth. Puchert also extended his appreciation to Satyakam Arya for his tenure at DICV, describing him as “an outstanding leader with exceptional expertise in commercial vehicle operations and a deep commitment to customer success.” Under Arya’s leadership, the company strengthened its footprint in the Indian market and built a robust foundation for long-term growth.
In his new role, Schmidt will report directly to Puchert and oversee all of DICV’s operations in India, including the manufacturing and sale of BharatBenz trucks, Mercedes-Benz coaches, and bus chassis. The company operates a modern manufacturing facility in Oragadam, near Chennai, and exports its products to over 60 markets worldwide.
The leadership change at DICV signals a continued focus on strategic development within Daimler Truck’s global operations. With Schmidt’s extensive international experience and proven track record in business transformation, industry observers expect a renewed emphasis on innovation, operational excellence, and expansion in India’s competitive commercial vehicle sector.
