Hardeep Singh Brar Leaves Kia India to Head BMW India
Hardeep Singh Brar has resigned from Kia India and is set to lead BMW India following Vikram Pawah’s move to a global position. Brar brings nearly 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, which could aid BMW in expanding into deeper markets as the country faces a slow recovery in the car sector. Kia and BMW are also focusing on electric vehicle sales amidst challenging market conditions.
Hardeep Singh Brar, the senior vice president heading marketing and sales at Kia India, has stepped down from his position. Sources close to the matter indicate that he is poised to take on the role of president at BMW India, replacing the current president, Vikram Pawah, who is moving to a global position within the company. This transition was reportedly communicated to Kia’s department heads just last week, although exact details about Brar’s final day at Kia remain uncertain.
Brar’s extensive experience in the auto industry, spanning nearly 30 years, is anticipated to benefit BMW as it seeks to expand its reach in India. An industry analyst, Bhavna Kaushik, noted that Brar’s past roles with major automotive brands like Maruti, VW, and Nissan position him well for entering deeper markets. With increasing engagement expected in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, this realignment may reflect BMW’s strategic move to diversify product offerings, particularly in more affordable electric vehicle (EV) segments as trade relations with Europe evolve.
Working as a senior executive at Kia since March 2021, Brar’s automotive journey began with Maruti Suzuki, where he started his career as a deputy manager in sales. His background includes significant stints at Volkswagen Group and General Motors India, among others. There’s been no word yet on who will fill his shoes at Kia, which operates under the Hyundai Group.
As for Vikram Pawah, he has been CEO and president of BMW India since 2020, having previously led BMW Group in Australia and New Zealand. His transition comes at a pivotal time for BMW, which is focusing on boosting its electric vehicle sales. Earlier this year, Pawah highlighted that 17% of BMW’s total sales of 3,914 in India were electric vehicles, indicating a strong push in that direction despite challenges in the global EV market.
BMW aims to ramp up its efforts in this sector, especially as the overall luxury market in India grew only modestly in recent times. The general car market in India saw a slight 2% growth to 4.3 million units in FY25, while Kia reported a 7% rise in retail sales, achieving 241,859 units. For BMW, retail sales hit 14,966 units, making the brand the second-largest luxury car player in the country, but this still reflects a slower pace of growth in the luxury segment overall, which reached just 51,000 units.
The Indian auto sector is facing tough times, and as these leadership changes occur within key brands, industry observers are watching closely to see how strategic shifts play out amidst the broader market conditions.
Hardeep Singh Brar’s resignation from Kia India marks a significant move as he transitions to become the next president of BMW India. His extensive experience in the automotive industry is expected to aid BMW’s expansion plans. Meanwhile, with Vikram Pawah stepping into a global role, this leadership shift comes at a challenging time for the Indian auto sector, which shows modest growth in a competitive landscape. With both Kia and BMW focusing on electric vehicles, the future strategies of these firms will be crucial for their market positions.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
