Hardeep Singh Brar Resigns from Kia India, Poised to Join BMW as India President
Hardeep Singh Brar resigns from Kia India, likely to join BMW as president. Current BMW president Vikram Pawah moves to a global role. Brar’s extensive experience is expected to aid BMW’s growth, particularly in EV sales and expansion into deeper markets. The Indian auto sector faces challenges, with modest growth reported this financial year.
Hardeep Singh Brar, the senior vice president and head of marketing and sales at Kia India Pvt. Ltd., has announced his resignation. Reports suggest he is poised to take up the role of president at BMW India. Two individuals close to the situation disclosed that he officially informed department heads of his decision last week.
The current president of BMW India, Vikram Pawah, is expected to transition to a global role within the company. The timeline for Brar’s assumption of the new position is anticipated to be within the next several weeks, according to one source, although the exact details of his departure from Kia remain unconfirmed.
Bhavna Kaushik, co-founder of Abuzz Consulting, highlighted Brar’s experience in the automotive sector, noting it spans nearly thirty years, having previously held significant roles at Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, and General Motors.
Kaushik remarked, “Hardeep’s diverse experience with key automakers…will support BMW in expanding into deeper markets over time… particularly as the company gears up for potential product diversification into more cost-effective EV segments.” She emphasized the need for BMW to foster engagement in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India.
Brar has been with Kia since March 2021 and has a notable background in the industry, having begun as a deputy manager of sales at Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Now, the question arises regarding who will step into Brar’s shoes at Kia, connected as it is with the Hyundai Group.
Meanwhile, Vikram Pawah has been with BMW India since 2020. He previously led the BMW Group in Australia and New Zealand before transitioning to the Indian market. His next role within the BMW Group remains unclear, but he has emphasized the importance of electric vehicle sales for the company’s future.
In a recent interview with Mint, Pawah mentioned that BMW’s electric vehicle sales stood at 646 cars, making up 17% of total sales in the first quarter of the year. This comes during a period when the global electric vehicle sector appears stagnant, with Pawah commenting on how unrealistic expectations for rapid EV adoption have led to some disillusionment.
Amid all this change, the Indian automotive market faces significant challenges. Despite an overall growth in the car market by 2%, Kia India’s sales increased by 7% to 241,859 units, while BMW recorded 14,966 units sold this past financial year. The luxury car segment itself only grew by 3%, with total sales at 51,000 units.
With the landscape shifting, all eyes will be on Brar’s next steps and the implications for both Kia and BMW in India.
Hardeep Singh Brar’s departure from Kia India and his likely new role at BMW marks a significant shift in the leadership of prominent car manufacturers in India. Both companies face challenges in the evolving automotive market, particularly with electric vehicle sales highlighting the need for strategic adaptation. As the industry adjusts to these changes, the question of leadership and direction remains critical.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
