Daimler India Commercial Vehicles has appointed Torsten Schmidt as its new Managing Director and CEO. With nearly 30 years of global experience across Daimler’s operations in Germany, India, Japan, and Brazil, Schmidt brings deep expertise in finance, operations, and strategy to steer DICV’s next phase of growth in the evolving commercial vehicle market.
Torsten Schmidt’s appointment as the next Managing Director and CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) marks a decisive moment for the company as it prepares for a new phase of expansion in one of the world’s most competitive commercial vehicle markets. The announcement comes at a time when the industry is navigating shifts in technology, sustainability demands, and evolving logistics needs, making seasoned leadership more crucial than ever. With nearly three decades of global experience inside the Daimler ecosystem, Schmidt steps into the role with a deep understanding of both the commercial vehicle landscape and the varied markets that shape it.
Since joining Daimler in 1997, Schmidt has built a career defined by versatility and cross-cultural understanding. His journey has taken him across Germany, India, Japan, and Brazil, each assignment sharpening his expertise in finance, operations, and business transformation. His roles have ranged from CFO responsibilities to strategic planning, FP&A, performance management, and guiding financial controlling functions within several Daimler entities. This breadth of experience has shaped him into a leader who not only understands the financial architecture of a global automotive operation but also the people, processes, and products that keep it running.
Schmidt’s time at Mercedes-Benz AG-Trucks and Daimler Truck AG helped him develop an insider’s perspective on the commercial vehicle sector. Working closely with engineering, product planners, and operational teams allowed him to understand how decisions made in boardrooms translate into performance on factory floors and in markets worldwide. His deep involvement in finance and controlling at Daimler Trucks Asia further strengthened his ability to oversee complex operations, especially in a region known for its diverse consumer segments and fast-evolving mobility needs. These insights are particularly relevant for India, where the commercial vehicle industry must balance cost efficiencies, rugged performance requirements, and long-term sustainability goals.
His earlier assignments in India provided Schmidt with a foundational understanding of the country’s manufacturing environment, regulatory landscape, and the unique characteristics of its transport ecosystem. India’s logistics and commercial vehicle segments operate differently from their Western counterparts, shaped by varied terrain, fragmented transport networks, and high utilization demands. Schmidt’s familiarity with these dynamics ensures that his leadership at DICV will be rooted in the practical realities of the market while leveraging the strengths of Daimler’s global technological and production capabilities.
One of Schmidt’s most significant leadership roles was his tenure in Brazil, where he oversaw financial operations for Mercedes-Benz do Brasil and Mercedes-Benz Caminhões e Ônibus. Brazil, like India, is a vast and diverse market with fluctuating economic cycles, infrastructure challenges, and strong competition in the commercial vehicle sector. Managing financial strategies in such an environment requires agility, long-term thinking, and the ability to align global practices with local nuances. Schmidt’s Brazil experience is often cited as a key element of his leadership maturity, proving his ability to stabilize operations, support product portfolio strategies, and guide organizations through transformation.
Across his global assignments, Schmidt has consistently demonstrated a strategic approach to performance management. His work in FP&A and strategic planning has involved shaping organizational budgets, forecasting market trends, and ensuring that business units remain resilient and competitive. At Daimler Trucks & Buses, his role as Executive Assistant to the CEO placed him close to the highest-level decisions impacting the company’s worldwide strategy. This proximity to leadership, combined with his operational exposure, gives him a unique vantage point—one that blends strategic clarity with grounded operational insight.
As Schmidt prepares to lead DICV, he takes charge of a company that has already established a strong foothold in India. Through its BharatBenz brand, DICV has positioned itself as a manufacturer of reliable, durable, and cost-effective commercial vehicles tailored to Indian road and usage conditions. The brand’s focus on safety, engineering excellence, and long-term performance has helped it build trust among transporters and fleet owners. However, the Indian commercial vehicle industry is at a pivotal juncture. Electrification, digital fleet management, emission norms, and the rise of logistics automation are reshaping expectations. The sector is also witnessing intensified competition, with both Indian and global players upgrading their offerings across the light, medium, and heavy-duty segments.
Schmidt’s extensive background in R&D finance, product planning, and sales controlling is expected to play a central role in shaping DICV’s future product pipeline. His experience with mature markets like Germany and Japan, combined with insights from emerging markets like Brazil and India, positions him to balance innovation with affordability. This balance will be necessary as the company explores opportunities in electric and alternative-fuel commercial vehicles—an area expected to evolve rapidly as India pushes for greener transport solutions. Moreover, his expertise in operations and cost management will be critical as DICV continues to refine its manufacturing footprint, supply chain efficiencies, and export strategies.
Another important aspect of Schmidt’s leadership will be strengthening DICV’s integration within the broader Daimler Truck global network. As the company accelerates its global ambitions, India remains a crucial manufacturing and export base, particularly for markets across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Schmidt’s long-standing relationships within Daimler’s international leadership circles provide him with the ability to align DICV’s goals with global priorities while advocating for India as a strategic hub. His history of collaboration with teams across continents will help bridge global capabilities with local opportunities.
Internally, Schmidt is expected to play a key role in shaping a culture of innovation, efficiency, and long-term value creation. His career has often placed him in roles requiring organizational transformation—a skill that will be valuable as DICV navigates post-pandemic market shifts and prepares for the next generation of commercial transport. This includes fostering talent development, investing in digitalization, and encouraging greater collaboration across departments and regional teams.
For Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Schmidt’s arrival signals both continuity and change. Continuity, because he embodies Daimler’s values, global thinking, and commitment to quality. Change, because his leadership style—sharpened by international exposure and diverse market challenges—promises fresh perspectives for the Indian operation. As the commercial vehicle sector undergoes structural shifts, Schmidt’s ability to stay ahead of trends while grounding decisions in market realities will be closely watched.
With his extensive background across continents, industries, and organizational layers, Torsten Schmidt steps into his new role with a clear mandate: to guide DICV through a transformative era while building on its strong foundation. His appointment reflects Daimler’s belief in experienced, globally connected leadership to navigate evolving markets. As Schmidt takes the reins, stakeholders across the automotive sector will be looking to see how his vision shapes the next chapter of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles—an organization poised for growth in a rapidly changing mobility landscape.
