#LookBack2014: Top Management Shuffle This Year!

Maruti’s veteran Mayank Pareek moving to Tata was the biggest shuffle-shock this year!

This year we saw several major shuffle in the top management of auto companies in India. It started with Ford’s Nigel Harris in January just before the major auto gala - 2014 Indian Auto Expo to the major shock of the year - Mayank Pareek moving to Tata from Maruti. In our #LookBack2014 series we bring Top Management Shuffle This Year!

Mayank Pareek moved to Tata, RS Kalsi now heading Maruti

After heading Maruti Suzuki India for over two decades as Chief Operating Officer, Mayank Pareek moved to lead Tata Motors as President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit (PVBU). Since the launch of Zest, Tata has started reviving from the ailing sales as Zest has started clocking high numbers. And Mayank Pareek of Maruti will certainly take it to another level! Moreover, RS Kalsi took over the position of Mayank Pareek in Maruti Suzuki.

Fiat Chrysler India MD and President Nagesh Basavanhalli quits

Nagesh Basavanhalli quits from his position of Managing Director (MD) and President, Fiat Chrysler LLC. Basavanhalli joined the Italian brand’s Indian subsidiary to streamline things for the firm soon after its dealership and service departed with Tata Motors. Furthermore, if reports are to believe, Pablo Rosso, who is currently heading Fiat-Chrysler’s operations in South Korea, will be replacing Nagest Basavanhalli and taking over as the interim head of Fiat Chrysler India from coming year.

Guillaume Sicard replaces Kenichiro Yomura as President of Nissan India

Japanese automaker’s Indian counterpart appointed Guillaume Sicard as the President of Nissan India operations on October 1, 2014. Sicard was earlier appointed as Deputy President in Nissan India on July 2014. Furthermore, Guillaume Sicard replaced Kenichiro Yomura, ex-President of Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL).

Nigel Harris Appointed As Ford India President

Starting this year, Ford India replaced Joginder Singh with Nigel Harris as the President of the American automaker’s Indian operations. Nigel took the duties on 1st February 2014 just before the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. Earlier, Nigel held the position of Vice President, Sales and Service for Ford in the Asia Pacific Region. The ex-President Joginder Singh went to U.S as Director, Corporate Strategy.

Harald Krueger to become BMW's CEO in May 2015

The Bavarian based luxury and performance automaker BMW has announced recently in December its new CEO Harald Krueger, on duties effective from May 2015.  The current CEO Norbert Reithofer will leave his post to become the Chairman of the Board as a part of "generational change". Speaking of the Mr Harald Krueger, he joined BMW as a trainee in 1992 and in 2013 became the production chief. Moreover, he was also responsible for the company's MINI brand and its motorcycles.

Hyundai houses BMW’s M-Division Chief

Hyundai has roped in BMW’s M performance division chief as the new head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development. The ex-beemer chief Albert Biermann will join the Korean automaker at its home. Adding on Albert Biermann, he is currently the Vice President Engineering for BMW-M-Automobiles and BMW-Individual at BMW-M GmbH, with over 30 years of experience. And from April 2015, he will join Hyundai for the development of new high performance models and will work on things like handling, safety, reliability related projects from April next year.