Local talent does have a profound advantage when it comes to helming the Indian operations of a multinational giant. They understand local markets better and can take a call on what works and what does not in the Indian context. Keeping that factor in mind, many global car companies such as Nissan, Ford, Audi, SAIC, Skoda, etc., have gone for a local talent to expand operations in the world’s second fastest growing automobile market. The move was kickstarted many decades back by market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, which had Jagdish Khattar and BVR Subbu respectively as their managing directors.
The latest such development happened at Nissan India, where Ankush Arora is reportedly been roped in as its President. Arora, who had prior stints with GM India and Tata Motors, will be joining the Japanese carmaker from Egypt’s Mansour Group, where he spent almost three years as chief operating officer. If the development is true, he will be the second Indian at the company’s helm of affairs after Arun Malhotra, who was appointed as its Managing Director in 2014.
Likewise, BMW has appointed Vikram Pawah as its president of on 1 March 2017. Pawah brings more than 25 years of international experience both in the automotive and non-automotive industry. He started his career at Jay Engineering Works, India and has held multiple leadership positions within Honda Cars in India and Australia. Most recently, he was the Managing Director of Harley-Davidson India.
“India is a growing market with great potential for mobility products and services. With his broad experience in the automotive industry and his country specific know-how, Pawah brings excellent preconditions to strengthen our position in the Indian market,” said Hendrik von Kuenheim, senior vice-president, Asia Pacific and South Africa, BMW Group in a statement.
Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Rahil Ansari as the head of Audi India, effective 1 February 2017. Ansari, a person of Indian origin, brings a broad range of experience in Finance, Sales, Network Development, Retail operations and Aftersales business. He moves to Audi India from Audi AG, where he used to head the Global Pricing for Audi Genuine Parts for Audi AG Aftersales.
“I am confident that Rahil Ansari’s diverse global experience combined with the understanding of the Indian market will help to consolidate the brand presence,” said Thierry Lespiaucq, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd.
Ford India had assigned Anurag Mehrotra, executive director, marketing, sales and service, to take over responsibilities as an interim managing director after its Country Head Nigel Harris had moved to a new position at the American carmaker’s joint venture in China. The company had earlier appointed Joginder Singh, an Indian-origin Ford veteran, to look after its Indian operations. Similarly, French carmaker Renault elevated Sumit Sawhney as its MD and CEO of its Indian arm in January 2014, nearly two years after appointing him as its ED, sales and marketing.
SAIC, formerly Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation has got P Balendran, former VP of GM India, as its chief India representative. Speculation is also rife that another GM veteran Rajeev Chaba will be steering the company’s Indian operations.
Puneet Gupta, south Asia manager - vehicle sales forecast, HIS, said, “I think at the helm, Indians have an important role to play as they can provide a strong connect with their customers. Also with India expected to become the top three markets in the world in the next decade, it is becoming indispensable for companies to taste success in India. They can’t afford to lose Indian consumers as India would be the growth engine of the world in years to come. I think here Indian at the top positions can add substantial value for their organisation.”
BW Reporters
The author is a Principal Correspondent at BW Businessworld.
