Mercedes-Benz India has made a significant leadership appointment with the elevation of Nandita Godbole to Head of Marketing.
The move is in line with the luxury automaker’s drive to put AI at the centre of its customer engagement and digital transformation efforts.
Godbole takes over from Amrit Baid, who will be assuming responsibility for Retail Finance and Pre-Owned Cars in a wider reshuffle of the company’s executive ranks. In promoting an internal talent with such extensive experience, Mercedes-Benz India is putting in place the kind of seasoned leadership required for the next stage of growth in a market as dynamic as India’s.
A Veteran of the Brand
Godbole is no stranger to the inner workings of Mercedes-Benz India. Her tenure here has spanned a number of business functions from retail sales to data analytics. In her most recent capacity as General Manager of Data Analytics & Systems, she was also in charge of the Digital Customer Unit, where she helped craft the sort of data-led, customer-centric strategies that underpin the company’s growth.
Her record within the organisation includes a stint as Regional Manager from June 2023 through August 2024 and leading DMP & Media Planning for the two years prior. Before rejoining Mercedes-Benz, she built up her credentials in strategic brand marketing and consumer behaviour at the likes of Cummins India, Unilever and TAM Media Research.
An AI-Focused Approach
With the company reorganising its sales and marketing leadership to foster a more technology-driven journey for the customer, the timing of Godbole’s appointment is apt. The luxury car market in India is highly competitive, and Mercedes-Benz is turning to artificial intelligence and customer data to offer a more personalised product. As the new head of marketing, she will be tasked with scaling that personalisation at every touchpoint and reinforcing the brand’s premium standing.
Her remit will also involve coordinating with digital sales and after-sales service teams and backing the introduction of new models as part of the company’s expanding electrification plans.
Looking Ahead
These are among a series of leadership changes set to come into force in September 2026 as senior executives are moved to better serve the company’s shifting priorities. It is a clear indication of how global automakers are investing in the smarter side of the business, not just in the vehicles themselves. For those in the industry, Godbole’s promotion is a case in point of the role that data and technology now play in defining what it means to own a luxury car in India.
