Bengaluru seems to have revved up the spirit of Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue, the German auto boss couldn’t help but gush about India’s tech capital, saying every visit to the city leaves him “twice as energised”.

For Källenius, Bengaluru isn’t just another global outpost but a powerhouse of innovation that’s quietly driving the future of mobility and software engineering. “You have to embrace new talent around the world,” he said while praising the city’s sharp minds and unstoppable drive.

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Källenius recounted meeting professionals fluent in German who had never even visited the country. “That intrinsic motivation. I want more of that,” he can be heard saying in the video. “We will go to where that kind of talent is,” he added.

Netizens agree and disagree

His comments quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many praised Bengaluru as a rising tech hub. “Indians can speak fluent German, Japanese, Korean, English! No wonder they lead global companies,” a comment read. “That’s true, Bengaluru has quietly become the engine room of global innovation,” wrote one user. The user went on to highlight that over 400 German companies already operate there and the city contributes nearly 38% of India’s tech exports.

However, not all reactions were flattering. Some netizens poked fun at the city’s infamous traffic and infrastructure challenges. “Oh, how cliché — you’ll be ‘energised’ until you hit Bengaluru traffic,” one quipped. Another remarked, “Of course, as a German CEO you meet people speaking German. In my American company, everyone speaks English. Even those who’ve never been to England.”

Still, for many, Källenius’s words capture the essence of Bengaluru’s unique blend of talent, ambition and grit. A city where chaos and creativity coexist and where global companies are increasingly turning to find their next generation of innovators.