A major churn is underway in key executive positions of leading automobile firms in India, a task more challenging than selling cars in a slowing passenger car market.
A cause for this churn are vacant slots in key executive positions in five firms — Tata Motors, Hyundai India, Volkswagen, Ford India and Nissan India which are in the process of being filled up.
ET learns that Arvind Saxena, director, marketing and sales at India's second largest car company Hyundai India is said to be on an exit mode and may end up taking charge of a key position at Tata Motors, the third largest carmaker in the country.
When contacted Hyundai India spokesperson said, "Hyundai Motor India does not respond to market rumours or speculative stories." Saxena also denied that he is putting in his papers at Hyundai. A mail sent to Tata Motors went unanswered.
Tata Motors that saw Prakash Telang, its managing director retire in June, also has other key positions vacant. However, there is no certainty that the post will be filled up shortly. Tata Motors is scouting for an India MD, while Hyundai India, too, is in search of filling up its president post.
Volkswagen Sales India is on the hunt for a director (marketing) to replace Neeraj Garg, while Ford India will have a new executive director for marketing to replace Nigel Wark, who is promoted and is moving to China.
Nissan's marketing arm Hover has recalled Nitish Tipnis to lead the sales and marketing role, taking charge from Dinesh Jain. Nigel Wark, executive director, marketing sales and service, is expected move to China beginning August and an internal circular has already been issued, ET learns.
Spokesperson for Ford India confirmed the development and said that Nigel Wark is now appointed director, customer service, Changan Ford Mazda Automotive (CFMA) and will commence his new role starting next month. With over three decades of experience at Ford across various markets across Asia-Pacific and close to five years at Ford India, Wark played a key role in steering all the new product launches, expansion of dealerships and strengthening of service network of Ford in India.
"Under Wark's leadership, respective teams of marketing, sales and service achieved outstanding results and helped create new benchmarks," said Ford India spokesperson. Ford India has appointed Vinay Piparsania as the new executive director, marketing, sales and service, Ford India.
Vinay replaces Nigel from his earlier role as marketing and sales director of Ford Philippines. Hyundai India, too, is exploring an option to fill the position of president, which has remained empty since 2009, when Ashok Jha moved to MCX-SX.
ET learns Rohtash Mal, former sales and marketing executive at Maruti Suzuki and former CEO of Escorts Tractors is exploring possibilities to join Hyundai India. Without divulging specific information, Rohtash Mal told ET, "I am exploring various options including setting up a venture fund."
Mal, however, stressed that he has been in the CEO position for over 12 years, so he is not looking for a functional role. "Individuals do make a huge difference but these are big corporations and a robust succession plan is always in place," said Frost & Sullivan senior director- automotive VG Ramakrishnan.
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