Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) said its Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Kiran Manohar Deshmukh would retire in October and Praveen Chakrapani Rao would become the new group CTO. Rao will assume the new role on November 1.
Rao is currently the president of Sona Comstar’s R&D – Motor Business. Rao has an experience of over 32 years in the automotive industry spanning Bosch, Ford, Visteon, and Sona Comstar in product engineering and business development.
Deshmukh, who joined Sona Group in 1987, has been the CTO since 2019. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Sona Koya.
“The company has requested him to continue until October 31, 2024 to guide the organisation through the transition period. During his tenure, Deshmukh has made an immeasurable contribution to Sona Comstar's technological advancements, product innovation, quality focus, and strategic direction,” Sona Comstar said.