GM India appoints Arvind Saxena president and MD

It’s official now. Arvind Saxena has been appointed as the new president and managing director of GM India with effect from March 1, 2014.  He succeeds Lowell Paddock, who is moving to GM International Operations (GMIO) as vice-president (Planning & Programme Management). Autocar Professional had, on February 26, broken the news on the change at the helm of GM India.    

“We are delighted to have Arvind join our team and with his extensive experience, lead us into a successful future in India, with its significant growth potential. GM is committed to India and with Arvind’s leadership, we look forward to recognizing the long-term growth potential of the market,” said Stefan Jacoby, GM executive vice-president and president, GM International Operations.

Arvind Saxena has over three decades of experience in sales, marketing and management with many Indian and global automakers. He began his career in 1983 as an area manager in the motorcycles and scooter division of Escorts Ltd. He moved to Bajaj Auto in 1992, where he held the post of regional manager of North India. Three years later, he joined Maruti Udyog as regional manager (Western India). After a year at Fiat India in 1999 as general manager, he returned to Maruti as GM (sales) and was promoted to chief general manager (sales). 

Prior to his appointment at GM India, he was managing director of passenger cars (VW brands) and a member of the Board of Directors of Volkswagen Group Sales India. 

Saxena has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Lucknow University.