Mercedes-Benz appoints Peter T Honegg as new India MD & CEO

"Peter T Honegg will succeed Wilfried Aulbur as the new MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India," the Indian subsidiary of the company said in a statement.

Honegg, who has been with Daimler AG since 1976, is presently the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

"Honegg has rich experience of managing high growth markets and is expected to take upon his new role in first quarter 2011," Mercedes-Benz India said.

Earlier in September, the company had announced resignation of Aulbur, a move that surprised industry people.

Industry sources had pointed out that Aulbur, who would complete five years as the India Head of Mercedes Benz by the end of 2010, is likely to move out of the automobile sector but remain in the country.

"After staying (for) five years in India, he is in love with the country. He has, in fact, married Rekha Srinivasan -- an Indian woman. He will most probably stay here forever," a source close to the development had said.

A German by birth, Aulbur did his doctoral and post- doctoral studies in physics in the US. For a short period, he was with Mercedes-Benz India in the early 80s. Later, in 2005, he joined the company again as India Head.

The company started assembling its vehicles within the country at a facility in Chakan, Maharashtra in January 2009. The facility has the capacity to produce 5,000 cars and 1,200 commercial vehicles, mainly Actros range trucks, every year.

After being the numero-uno luxury car-maker in India for years, Mercedes-Benz lost its leadership position to rival BMW in 2009 and reported a decline of 10.43 per cent in sales in the country last year.