Exclusive: Mahindra Restructures R&D Leadership as R Velusamy Takes Charge of Automotive Business

As part of a broader leadership reshuffle across its Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra has announced a new structure for its product development and R&D organisation under R Velusamy, who is set to become the President of the Automotive Business (AB), effective January 1, 2026. The transition marks a significant step in consolidating Mahindra’s technology and product strategy across internal combustion engines (ICE), electric vehicles (EV), and light commercial vehicle (LCV) platforms.

Velusamy, a Mahindra veteran with deep roots in engineering and product development, will lead a restructured R&D team with three direct reports, each focusing on a critical area of the company's future roadmap:

• Senthur Pandian will serve as Head of Product Development (PD) for both ICE and EV platforms for SUVs and LCVs (less than 3.5 tonnes)
• Binoy Paul will head Software Solutions & Technology
• Prakash Rao Malathkar will oversee PD for Centres of Excellence and Facilities

This new structure aims to enhance vertical integration and accountability in vehicle development as Mahindra scales up its EV operations and continues to lead in the SUV space.

Confirming the development, Rajesh Jejurikar, ED and CEO, Auto and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, told Autocar Professional that the Automotive Business has seen significant growth and success in all segments over the last few years. To prepare for the future with technology innovation and lead opportunities for growth in domestic as well as global markets, the restructuring in R&D, with Velusamy R (Velu) leading at the forefront, will help bring better agility and collaboration in engineering and product development.

“Since joining M&M in 1996, Velu has successfully created world-class powertrains and has been instrumental in the development and successful launch of several ICE flagship products, in addition to the MEAL portfolio recently. Velu will go through a detailed assimilation process until he transitions to his new role on January 1, 2026,” added Jejurikar.

Additionally, Amit Kumar will transition into a new role in the Group Strategy Office, reporting to Dr. Anish Shah, effective July 1, 2025. The teams reporting to Pandian, Paul, and Malathkar will be announced in due course and become effective from the same date.

The announcement also confirmed that Abhay Kulkarni, Meenakshi Priyam, Mathan Raj, and Ashutosh Vidwans will continue their current roles and report to Velusamy. The Head of the Auto Digital Centre and Head of Auto Strategy will also align under Velusamy's leadership starting January 1, 2026.

Velusamy’s transition will be supported by a detailed assimilation process through the remainder of 2025, with Nalinikanth Gollagunta overseeing Automotive operations during the interim.

In a message to employees, Jejurikar said, “I do not doubt that the transition will be smooth and seamless as a result of our leadership development process.”

The R&D reorganisation reflects Mahindra’s sharpened focus on execution and innovation as it readies multiple launches under its Born Electric platform and scales global ambitions in EVs and traditional powertrains.