Hardeep Singh Brar Resigns from Kia India, Poised to Join BMW India
Hardeep Singh Brar, senior VP at Kia India, has resigned and is expected to become India president for BMW. This transition comes as current BMW India president Vikram Pawah is set to take on a global role. Both moves occur amid a sluggish Indian automotive market.
In a significant move, Hardeep Singh Brar has resigned from his position as senior vice president and head of marketing and sales at Kia India. Sources close to the situation suggest he is set to take over as the next president of BMW India, although this has not been officially confirmed. Brar’s resignation was conveyed to the heads of departments at Kia last week, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It appears that Brar will step into this role as Vikram Pawah, the current president of BMW India, transitions to a global position within the BMW Group. The first source mentioned that this change should happen soon, although it has not been verified when Brar’s last day at Kia will be. Neither Kia India nor BMW India provided comments when contacted by email, with Kia remaining silent since the inquiry made on June 7.
Bhavna Kaushik, co-founder of Abuzz Consulting, emphasized the valuable experience Brar brings to the table, having worked with several key automakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, and Nissan. This expertise might prove essential as BMW seeks to deepen its market penetration in India, especially by focusing on diversified product offerings in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The company is also aiming to enhance its outreach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, moving beyond its current emphasis on metropolitan areas.
Having joined Kia in March 2021, Brar has an impressive track record, spanning nearly three decades in the automotive industry, starting his career as a deputy manager at Maruti Suzuki in Chandigarh. His journey has included notable tenures at various global automotive giants like General Motors and Great Wall Motor Co. However, Kia has yet to announce Brar’s successor.
Meanwhile, Vikram Pawah, who has held the dual role of president and CEO at BMW India since 2020, will be moving on to a higher global role within the company. His background also includes leadership positions in Honda Group and Harley Davidson. It is uncertain where exactly Pawah will land within the global framework of BMW, but his contributions have been significant.
Earlier this year, Pawah discussed the electric vehicle strategy, indicating that EV sales were a crucial part of BMW’s growth plan, with statistics showing that EV sales constituted 17% of the total sales from January to March. However, he acknowledged the broader market slowdown in EVs, attributing some disappointment to unrealistic expectations regarding the speed of the transition to electric vehicles.
The shifts occurring at BMW and Kia come in a challenging period for India’s automotive industry, which only saw a 2% growth in car sales. Despite this, Kia’s retail sales grew by 7%, totaling 241,859 units in FY25, while BMW’s luxury segment saw slight growth, with sales reaching almost 15,000 units for the same period. The luxury car market as a whole saw a modest increase, but it remains to be seen how these leadership changes will influence future performance in this competitive landscape.
The recent resignation of Hardeep Singh Brar from Kia India marks a potential significant shift in leadership at BMW India, where he may soon step in as president. This change comes as BMW looks to strengthen its presence in the Indian market, particularly in the electric vehicle segment. Meanwhile, Vikram Pawah’s departure for a global role adds to the uncertainty in a market that is currently experiencing slow growth. Both companies are navigating a challenging automotive landscape as they aim for both expansion and adaptation in the changing market.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
