EXCLUSIVE: Anurag Mehrotra, VP International Biz at Tata Motors resigns, may join JSW MG Motor as CEO

Anurag Mehrotra, Vice President of International Business and Strategy of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Business, has resigned. The Former MD of Ford India is expected to join JSW MG Motor in February and assume the role of the CEO, say sources.

A Tata Motors spokesperson confirmed the development, while an email sent to JSW MG Motor has not elicited any response. 

Mehrotra's current role, which he has held since October 1, 2021, saw him play an essential role in establishing Tata Motors' presence in key regions such as Egypt and Thailand as India’s largest commercial vehicle maker looked at avenues to de-risk the cyclicality in the domestic commercial vehicle market.  He was also instrumental in launching products like Tata Prima and Tata Ultra.

Mehrotra understood global markets well, having led Ford India as the MD and having been a critical stakeholder in the proposed JV of Ford-M&M, which had big global plans. However, the proposed JV did not materialise.

An industry veteran of over two decades, he would leverage his understanding of both domestic and global markets at JSW MG as it seeks to triple volumes in the coming three to five years.

The British brand owned by JSW and China's SAIC is likely to witness a major revamp in the top management structure, with sales and marketing, HR and administration likely to see new executives, say sources.

As the MD of Ford India, Mehrotra had successfully steered the company from significant losses to profitability. Taking the wheel during a challenging period, he implemented the Emerging Market Operating Model (EMOM), resulting in a remarkable 37% reduction in structural costs. 

Coupled with a strategic focus on exports, this initiative saw Ford’s India revenue grow from Rs 19,000 crore in FY17 to over Rs 24,000 crore in FY19 under his leadership. The turnaround from a loss of Rs 521 crore in FY17 to a profit of approximately Rs 500 crore in FY18 was one of the key achievements of his leadership. 

His stint at Ford India spanned a decade, and encompassed various roles in marketing and sales before culminating in his appointment as President and Managing Director.

His departure in 2021 followed the company's decision to cease domestic car production as part of a broader restructuring. 

This was after the planned joint venture between Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra, which Mehrotra was set to lead as CEO, was called off in December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting global economic conditions.