His lean and tall frame in no way complements the big and exquisite pieces of automobiles he makes. But there is something about his get-up-and-go attitude that you can't miss. A passionate follower of tennis, Dr. Wilfried G. Aulbur often draws a parallel between his favourite sport and the luxury car business he manages. As the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of German Giant DaimlerChrysler in India, Aulbur knows well that it requires a visionary instinct together with competence, commitment and a target-oriented use of strengths to run a successful business venture in India.

For a carmaker that signifies supreme luxury, Aulbur has orchestrated a complete overhauling of its sales volumes in the country ever since he took over the reigns of DaimlerChrysler India Limited (DCIL) in January 2006. Set up in India as Mercedes-Benz India Ltd (MBIL) in 1995, the company was later renamed as DaimlerChrysler India Pvt Ltd (DCIL). The name change has been done in accordance with the corporate philosophy of DaimlerChrysler AG worldwide since the company is now wholly owned.

Aulbur’s visionary instinct and target-oriented strength seems to have helped DCIL move up on the profitability ladder. For a company that was in the red, DCIL started making profits under Aulbur’s leadership. Going by the company's core philosophy of being driven by value and not volumes, Aulbur has guided DaimlerChrysler India through tough terrains to profitable growth by doing things better. On the personal front, Aulbur has long lived his life keeping 'everything in balance'. He derives enjoyment and satisfaction from his work, his family and his leisure activities.

The affable head honcho of DCIL is also a leading light of the pioneering effort in establishing the Mercedes-Benz International School in Pune. With Pune increasingly attracting MNCs, it was felt that a quality school be established to educate the children of employees of locally-based international companies as well as the children of Indian parents with a global vision. With Aulbur’s visionary leadership to stand by, DaimlerChrysler in India can only look at a greater and smoother drive into the hearts of the Indian customer in the future.