Rajiv Rawat joins Stellantis IAP as Head of B2B Business for India and Asia Pacific

Rajiv Rawat has joined Stellantis IAP (India and Asia Pacific countries) as Head of B2B Business, effective November 11, 2024. Bringing over 24 years of automotive industry experience, Rajiv has held various roles at Tata Motors, Hyundai Motors, Volkswagen Group, and the Jeep Brand. Known for his expertise in business development, brand management, and sales leadership, he has consistently contributed to growth across leading automotive organisations.

Rajiv holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing, and he is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta. With significant experience in sales leadership and network expansion, he will be instrumental in enhancing Stellantis's market presence, especially in B2B sales across the India-Asia Pacific region. His background and expertise are expected to support the company's regional growth objectives.

In his new role, Rajiv will report to Nirmal Nair, who leads the Asia Pacific International team from Malaysia and reports to Stellantis COO Ashwani Muppasani. Rajiv's appointment is part of Stellantis's broader strategy to strengthen its position in the competitive Asia Pacific automotive market. This move follows recent leadership appointments, including Shailesh Hazela as MD & CEO and Kumar Priyesh as Head of the Jeep India Brand. Additionally, Stellantis has appointed former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador for Citroën in India, underlining its commitment to marketing efforts in the region.

Stellantis operates in India with a portfolio of brands including Jeep and Citroën. Formed in 2021 through a merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, Stellantis aims to deliver a range of vehicles that cater to the Indian market's evolving demands. With a focus on SUVs, especially with the Jeep brand, and compact cars through Citroën, Stellantis addresses various segments that appeal to a broad customer base.

In India, Stellantis faces strong competition from both domestic and international automakers. Leading Indian manufacturers like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra dominate the market with a well-established range of SUVs, electric vehicles, and compact cars designed specifically for local needs and conditions. International competitors such as Hyundai, Kia, and Maruti Suzuki have also secured significant market shares by focusing on affordability, fuel efficiency, and reliability, which are key factors for Indian consumers.

To strengthen its position, Stellantis continues to expand its product lineup, tailor marketing efforts, and improve dealership networks across India. Despite the competitive landscape, the group aims to carve a niche by offering a blend of global expertise and locally-relevant products that align with the unique preferences of the Indian market.