Automotive veteran brings over three decades of industry experience to lead German luxury carmaker's Indian operations.
08 Jul 2025 | 808 Views | By Shruti Shiraguppi
GURUGRAM, India – BMW Group India announced Monday a significant leadership change, appointing Hardeep Singh Brar as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2025. The move comes as part of a broader regional restructuring that will see current CEO Vikram Pawah transition to lead BMW Group's ...
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GURUGRAM, India – BMW Group India announced Monday a significant leadership change, appointing Hardeep Singh Brar as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2025. The move comes as part of a broader regional restructuring that will see current CEO Vikram Pawah transition to lead BMW Group's operations in Australia and New Zealand.
Brar, who brings more than 30 years of experience in India's automotive sector, will take the helm of one of BMW Group's fastest-growing markets. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India, where he helped establish the South Korean brand's presence in the competitive Indian market.
"India is among the fastest growing markets for BMW Group and an important pillar of our long-term success strategy for the region," said Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President for Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at BMW Group. "Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar holds vast expertise and an intricate understanding of Indian automotive industry to lead this dynamic market and strengthen BMW Group's operations here."
Brar's appointment marks a strategic move for BMW Group India as the company seeks to capitalize on India's growing luxury car market. His extensive resume includes senior management positions across multiple automotive brands, including Maruti-Suzuki, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, General Motors, Nissan Motor, and Great Wall Motor Company.
The incoming CEO holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Punjab and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Senior Executive Leadership Program. His diverse experience spans critical business functions including sales, marketing, customer experience, network development, and corporate strategy.
Vikram Pawah, who has been with BMW Group since 2017, leaves behind a notable legacy in India. He led the company's Indian operations during two separate tenures (2017-2018 and 2020-2025), with a stint managing BMW Group Australia from 2018-2020.
Under Pawah's leadership, BMW Group India focused on expanding market share through new opportunities and target demographics while advancing electric mobility, digitalization, retail experience, and customer-centricity initiatives.
"We would like to thank Mr. Vikram Pawah for his immense contribution towards strategic growth of BMW Group India and playing a decisive role in its recent development," Parain added.
BMW Group India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German automotive giant, has established a strong foothold in the country's premium automobile segment through its BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad brands. The company,