Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO Mercedes Benz India – Leaders In Tech & Auto

1. What’s your leadership mantra in the fast-evolving auto landscape?

 My leadership mantra is to remain ready for the future by being highly agile, at the same time being empathetic. I thoroughly believe in the age-old African saying, ‘if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together’. If you have your people on your side: you have everything.

2. How do you inspire and motivate your team during a challenging time?

 The ability to infuse a sense of ownership and pride into each team member is critical for the success of a leader, irrespective of the wind direction. If you can make the team see an opportunity, to rise above the current challenges and craft a niche for themselves- you have created a lasting motivation for them.

3. Tell us about a major screw-up in your career—what went wrong and what did you Learn?

 Early in my career I developed a gas-based three-wheeler, but very soon I realized that product development requires quite deeper engineering prowess and it’s not just about assembling components and make an automobile. I came out of it soon after and have carried this learning ever since in my career.

4. What’s a mistake you see many young auto leaders making?

Today I see lot of young automotive leaders fascinated by the Job Titles, Designations etc. and chasing them, without prioritizing their job content and gaining relevant experience. I can only advise them to spend time in learning and gaining experience in different facets of automotive industry so that their learning curve is steep, adding value to their organizations.

5. What’s the next big disruption you foresee in the auto industry?

The next big disruption I wish for, is the BEV industry’s charging ecosystem. I reiterate that we need an ‘UPI moment’ for the Indian Automotive BEV Charging Ecosystem. One of the biggest disruptions will be having a ‘UPI moment’ for charging ecosystem in India where customer can use a singular app, charge the vehicle and pay without any hassle.

6. As the first Indian to lead Mercedes-Benz India, how are you shaping the brand’s future in this dynamic market?

At Mercedes-Benz, we view everything from a pure customer’s perspective. There are numerous heart-warming stories of many Mercedes-Benz customers in India. We have one of the greatest automotive brands with possibly the best heritage that has shaped cultures and influenced every generation. Our task is redefining the future of luxury mobility, by continuing to make the most desirable cars in the world.