Photo Credit:www.linkedin.com/suma-linganagoudar
Suma Linganagoudar has joined Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) as Vice President and Head of E/E, Exteriors, Safety and Software Engineering. She announced the appointment on LinkedIn, outlining a role covering several areas of automotive engineering at the German manufacturer’s Indian R&D operation.
Established in 1996, MBRDI is Mercedes-Benz Group’s largest research and development centre outside Germany. It operates from Bengaluru and Pune, contributing to global product development and technologies for connected, autonomous and electric mobility.
Experience across automotive technologies
Linganagoudar joins MBRDI after nearly 15 years at Bosch Global Software Technologies, where she worked across automotive technology, strategy and transformation. Her experience includes braking, powertrain, sensors and automated driving.
At Bosch, she also led strategy and transformation and served as chief of staff, working across technology, business, operations and people functions. In her announcement, she described the new role as an opportunity to work on interconnected engineering systems, bringing together technology, teams and the wider ecosystem to address complex challenges.
India’s contribution to Mercedes-Benz engineering
MBRDI’s work spans vehicle engineering, software and digital product development. Its activities include computer-aided design and simulation for powertrain, chassis and exteriors, alongside embedded systems, telematics and IT applications.
Mercedes-Benz’s account of the Bengaluru operation describes its evolution from an initial focus on computer-aided engineering and programming to advanced vehicle engineering and IT technologies. Its responsibilities include software for control units and headunits, engineering tools and digital elements of overall product development. The Pune operation specialises in interior component design and IT engineering.
India’s role in German automotive R&D
The appointment comes at an Indian engineering centre that contributes to Mercedes-Benz’s global vehicle development. MBRDI’s responsibilities illustrate an India–Germany business relationship that extends beyond vehicle sales and assembly to research, design and software development.
Linganagoudar’s remit spans electronics, exteriors, safety and software engineering. Her appointment marks a leadership change within this established R&D operation; the announcement does not set out a new investment, expansion or bilateral initiative.
