Hardeep Singh Brar Resigns from Kia India, Set to Join BMW India

Hardeep Singh Brar has resigned as senior VP at Kia India and is expected to join BMW India as the new president, succeeding Vikram Pawah who is moving to a global role. Brar’s extensive automotive industry experience positions him to support BMW’s growth, particularly in expanding electric vehicle sales in deeper market segments within India. Both companies face challenges in a slowing luxury car market.

Hardeep Singh Brar, who has been serving as the senior vice president and head of marketing and sales at Kia India, has officially resigned. Sources familiar with this situation, who wish to remain anonymous, indicated that he is expected to take up the role of India president for the German luxury carmaker, BMW. The news of Brar’s departure was communicated to department heads within Kia India last week.

It appears that Vikram Pawah, the current India president for BMW, is slated to move into a global role within the company. A source familiar with the matter mentioned, “Brar will be taking on the role soon.” Meanwhile, both BMW India and Kia India have declined to comment, with Kia not responding to queries sent as recently as June 7.

While Mint was unable to confirm Brar’s final working day at Kia, there are indications he will transition to BMW in the coming weeks. Bhavna Kaushik, co-founder of Abuzz Consulting, stated that Brar’s extensive experience with renowned automakers such as Maruti and Volkswagen will aid BMW’s efforts to penetrate deeper into the Indian market, especially as the company anticipates diversifying its product line to include more affordable electric vehicles. This strategy, she notes, necessitates reaching out to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, moving away from just major metropolitan areas.

Brar has been with Kia since March 2021, but he brings nearly 30 years of industry experience, starting as a deputy sales manager at Maruti Suzuki. His career has included significant roles at major industry players like Volkswagen, General Motors, and Nissan. As of now, it remains uncertain who will take over Brar’s position at Kia, which operates under the South Korean Hyundai Group.

Vikram Pawah has been leading BMW India since 2020, previously holding the CEO position of BMW Group Australia and New Zealand. However, there is no clarity on whether he will assume a global management role or direct another unit within the BMW Group, following his departure. Pawah has a long history in the automotive industry, including stints with Honda and Harley Davidson before joining BMW in 2017.

Earlier this year, Pawah highlighted that a crucial area for BMW’s growth would be electric vehicle sales. Notably, during the first quarter of this year, BMW reported that its EV sales numbered 646 cars, making up 17% of total sales in India, which reached 3,914 vehicles. However, the luxury car segment has been facing challenges in a market that has recently seen a slowdown.

In summary, Hardeep Singh Brar’s exit from Kia India marks a significant change ahead, as he is anticipated to succeed Vikram Pawah as the president of BMW India. This move occurs within a broader context of strategic shifts aimed at penetrating deeper markets, especially with the growing emphasis on electric vehicles. Both Kia and BMW are facing challenges amidst a sluggish luxury car market, underscoring a pivotal time for leadership and strategy in the auto industry in India.

Original Source: www.livemint.com