Honegg to replace Aulbur as Mercedes’ India chief

NEW DELHI - German luxury automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz’s Indian subsidiary Saturday said that Peter T. Honegg will succeed Dr. Wilfried Aulbur as the new manging director and chief executive in the first quarter of 2011.

“Mr. Peter T. Honegg will succeed Dr. Wilfried Aulbur as the new MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India. Honegg is expected to take upon his new role in first quarter 2011,” said the company in a statement.

According to the statement, Honegg has been with Daimler Group since 1976 and is at present the president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

In September, the luxury car-maker’s incumbent chief executive Aulbur put in his papers to pursue a new career within the country.

With the construction of the new factory and several additional projects close to approval, Mr. Aulbur has decided to accept a new challenge outside of the Daimler Group, the company said earlier in a statement.

During his tenure, Mercedes-Benz established its presence in the truck and the bus business and significantly expanded its research and sourcing operations in India.

Aulbur will complete his five years as the India head of the German car-maker by the end of 2010.