India's auto sector is seeing a huge churn at the top levels
India
undergoes rapid transformation driven by new entrants, emerging business models, and the shift to electric and
digital
technologies, senior-level hiring activity has surged over the past few years.
New-age players and diversification efforts by legacy firms are fuelling a wave of CXO-level transitions, often drawing leadership talent from established OEMs and suppliers.
Industry experts observe that the average tenure of top executives has sharply declined from 6-8 years earlier to just 2-3 years today, reflecting growing investor impatience, evolving business priorities, and rising professional mobility. At the same time, CXO compensation has nearly doubled in the past five years, making the auto sector increasingly attractive to senior professionals.
ETAuto's analysis reveals that close to 50 top management movements were recorded in just the last six months, underscoring the intensity of churn at the top. These include promotions within existing organisations clearly reflecting the new trend in rewarding top performers.
CXO-level churn and a growing emphasis on local leadership have been visible at global players like Stellantis (Jeep, Citroen), Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, and BMW Group India.
'Over the past couple of years, global OEMs have faced mounting challenges in their home markets, which is a double blow of slowing demand and increasingly complex, costly supply chains. In response, many are recalling expatriate leaders and handing over India operations to local executives. While high expat costs are one factor, the bigger issue is their struggle to drive demand in India,' said
Pankaj Dutt
, Managing Partner (India and Global Co-Lead) at the European-headquartered executive search firm Alexander Hughes.
India's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp saw a wave of top-level exits this year, with its CEO and Chief Business Officer quitting in February, followed by the Chief Information &
Digital Officer
and HR head. In contrast, Mahindra & Mahindra, riding strong growth, announced key leadership changes in April to bolster its next phase of expansion.
Companies like Uno Minda, TVS Motor, Eicher Motors, Daimler Truck and Nissan India also elevated leaders to top roles.
At Maruti Suzuki, MD & CEO received a three-year extension starting April 2025. In a notable shift, Sunil Kakkar was appointed as the company's first Indian whole-time director.
EVs and IPOs
Beyond this, experts suggest the ongoing EV transition is a major driver of leadership churn in the auto sector. Neelesh
Gupta
, Partner at Deloitte India, noted that disruption from new entrants has heightened volatility in the talent market.
EV-specific leadership roles now command an 18-20% premium over ICE roles, driven by a mix of high attrition (around 7%), talent scarcity, and the shift towards role-based pay over internal parity. 'To retain top talent, firms are increasingly offering long-term wealth creation plans tied to sharp business outcomes, thereby creating a win-win,' said Gupta.
Meanwhile,
Dutt
pointed out that the EV sector still faces a critical talent gap in software, electronics, and product design. 'Engineers are often hired for ADAS roles based on coding skills and not domain expertise, thereby leading to post-launch product issues,' he added.
Amol Gangaramany, Partner- Automotive at ABC Consultants, said firms preparing for IPOs are also proactively reshaping their CXO teams to align with future growth, even if the CEO remains unchanged.
Ola
Electric and Ather Energy are among the few EV players to have filed for IPOs, even as Greaves Cotton has got the SEBI nod. Ola is also one of the companies which has seen notable top-level churn over the past few years.
According to ETPrime, June alone saw multiple senior exits-Chief Business Officer Nitin Golani left within three weeks, Head of Sales Nikhil Upadhye quit in a week, while legal heads
Rohit Kumar
and Marisha Shukla are set to exit by month-end.
'Musical chairs' cycle
Dutt said the auto industry has long been stuck in a cycle of 'musical chairs' when it comes to talent, especially in brand, sales, and distribution functions where companies often want to hire from outside the sector due to a persistent skill gap.
'Despite some openness to cross-industry hiring, talent still circulates within the same pool,' he said. 'Unlike other sectors where marketing drives product development, India's auto sector builds products first and expects marketing to create demand later. This discourages experienced marketers from other industries.'
Dutt added that this structural mismatch, similar to what was seen in telecom, has made auto unattractive to external talent, particularly among global OEMs.
He also highlighted that despite India's push for homegrown players, most domestic OEMs still depend on foreign platforms and powertrains, showing a continued lag in indigenous vehicle engineering.
Below is the list of a few CXO announcements during the Jan-Jun 2025 period.
NamePrevious DesignationLatest AssignmentAnjani KumarCTO, Tata AIG General Insurance CDIO, Ather EnergyAnurag MehrotraVP- International Business & Strategy, Tata MotorsMD, JSW MG MotorGaurav GuptaCGO, JSW MG MotorPresident- Domestic Operations, TVS MotorGaurav JhalaHead of HR- Engg, Tata MotorsVP & CHRO, JSW GreentechHardeep Singh BrarSenior VP & National Head- Sales & Marketing, KiaPresident & CEO, BMW IndiaNidhi KaisthaRegional Sales & Pre-Owned Cars Manager, Porsche IndiaHead- India, Automobili LamborghiniNiranjan KumarGeneral Manager, Mahindra GroupVP & COO, Tata AutoComp GroupParag SatpurePresident & Senior VP, Bridgestone Mobility SolutionsMD & Group CEO, Greaves CottonRahul DesaiCEO- Stampings, Magnets & Composite, CIE AutomotiveCEO, Pinnacle IndustriesRajeev Kumar SinhaCMO, CiplaCMO, Apollo TyresRishi LuharukaCFO, Gabriel IndiaGroup CFO, Force MotorsSanjay BohraGroup CFO, Force MotorsCCO, Eka MobilityVikas SinghMMTC-PAMP IndiaMD, Greaves Electric Mobility
Component makers
According to Gangaramany, the auto component industry which is driven by a mix of multinational players and Indian promoter-led firms is seeing a shift due to a couple of factors.
In the latter, the first-generation entrepreneurs with global ambitions are increasingly hiring seasoned professionals, particularly Chief Marketing Officers, to scale internationally. At the same time, second-generation leaders are taking on strategic roles in family-run businesses, pushing for professionalisation and modernisation as they prepare for board-level responsibilities.
This transition is being accelerated by rising private equity (PE) interest. With fresh capital and ambitious leadership, many promoters are targeting aggressive growth, often aiming to double business within 3–5 years.
For instance, Bain Capital recently made a strategic growth investment in Dhoot Transmission Group. In another major move, Carlyle entered the space by creating a platform through twin acquisitions, securing controlling stakes in Highway Industries and
Roop Automotives
.
Where does the opportunity lie?
Sales, marketing, and brand roles continue to witness high demand, with churn intensifying during industry slowdowns, said Gangaramany.
Gupta pointed out that key leadership roles in demand include Chief Digital Officer, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Head of Digital, Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer, Head of Policy, Chief of Product, and Chief of Design, with the latter two especially sought after by Indian OEMs aiming to stand out in a competitive, tech-led market.
Hiring momentum is also strong in digital transformation, R&D, product development, program management, and design. However, senior manufacturing roles remain largely insulated, typically filled through internal movement.
Gangaramany noted a growing trend of cross-sector hiring at the second-tier level, particularly for CHRO roles, although reverse movement from auto into other sectors is still rare.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'He has his own reasons': Shashi Tharoor on Rahul Gandhi backing Trump's ‘dead economy' remark
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he would not comment on Rahul Gandhi's remarks about US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy' comment, but said India's trade ties with America are important and should not be affected. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi.(PTI File) Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, said, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his own reasons for saying it. My concern is much more that our relationship with the US, as a strategic and economic partnership, is important for us.' The Congress leader said India must protect its strong trade ties with the US, emphasising that America is one of the country's biggest export markets, with around $90 billion worth of goods going there annually. 'We are exporting something like 90 billion worth of goods to America. We can't therefore be in a position where we are going to lose that or have it diminish significantly. Some people say Oh, that is only 2 per cent of our GDP, but in terms of percentage of our exports, America is one of our largest markets,' he claimed. On the issue of tariffs, Shashi Tharoor backed India's trade negotiators, saying, 'When we look at the tariff question, we must wish our negotiators strength and courage in working out a fair deal for India.' 'We should also be talking to other regions for exporting our goods. Then we could make up for some of what we might lose in the US. We have to support our negotiators,' Tharoor added. Donald Trump recently stirred controversy by calling India's economy 'dead' while announcing new 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, 'India and Russia can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.' The remarks were seen as a sharp escalation in trade tensions and drew mixed responses from Indian politicians. Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi appeared to agree with Trump's view, saying India's economy was indeed in poor shape. 'I don't care what Trump said. The reality is that India's economy is dead. And it has been murdered by the BJP government,' he told reporters.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Employee joins Indian startup after decades of working with US firms, almost dies: ‘Damaged heart, uncertain future'
A professional recently shared a harrowing experience on the " Indian Workplace " subreddit, shedding light on the deeply damaging effects of a toxic job environment. After spending nearly twenty years with multinational companies across the US and Europe, he had grown accustomed to work cultures that valued transparency, boundaries, and employee well-being. However, after being laid off unexpectedly, he found himself forced to accept an opportunity at an Indian startup—despite early signs that it was far from healthy. Warning Signs Ignored From the second week of joining, the red flags were unmistakable. Revenue figures were being manipulated, the leadership team operated with unchecked egos, and employees were expected to be available nearly around the clock—from late morning to the early hours of the next day. As days turned into weeks, he became immersed in a cycle of gaslighting, favoritism, and impossible client demands, all while facing zero regard for boundaries or dignity. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity MBA Data Science Design Thinking others Operations Management Digital Marketing PGDM Healthcare Project Management Technology Data Science Others Finance Public Policy Leadership CXO healthcare Product Management Data Analytics MCA Degree Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Despite knowing he should walk away, the fear of joblessness during a volatile hiring climate kept him chained to the role. The daily stress began to erode not just his emotional health but also his sense of identity and ethical compass. Depression quietly set in, while the pressure and psychological abuse from leadership intensified. Breaking Point and Aftermath Eventually, he could no longer withstand the atmosphere and chose to resign—even though he had no other job secured. But the toll had already been taken. Just weeks after quitting, he suffered a massive heart attack. Two emergency stents were inserted to save his life, and doctors warned that a delay of just half an hour could have been fatal. Now back home, unemployed and recovering with a weakened heart, he reflects on whether the monthly pay he earned was worth the irreversible damage. His answer: absolutely not. He admitted that while he once believed he had no alternative, lying in a hospital bed brought clarity. There's always a choice—we just often fail to recognize it until the consequences become physical. "Now I'm home—jobless, with a damaged heart and an uncertain future. Was that monthly salary worth permanently destroying my health? Hell no..." he wrote. A Caution to Others He urged others working in similarly suffocating environments not to sacrifice their well-being for financial comfort. No paycheck is worth permanent health damage. Survival should never come at the cost of one's physical or mental integrity. While he learned this truth the hard way, he hoped others would heed the warning sooner. Voices of Empathy and Shared Pain The post struck a chord with Reddit users. Many responded with compassion, echoing similar experiences. One commenter shared how her husband—only 31 years old—suffered two heart attacks and needed three stents due to intense stress in the hotel industry. She had to leave her own job to care for him. Others reminded the original poster that while joblessness is daunting, it is still a better fate than losing one's life. Encouragement flowed in—praising him for choosing himself over a paycheck and wishing him strength for the road ahead. Some even advised moving to quieter towns for peace and healthier lifestyles. For many, this story served as a powerful reminder: work can wait, but health cannot.
News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
'He Has His Own Reasons': Shashi Tharoor On Rahul Gandhi Backing Trump's 'Dead Economy' Jibe
Last Updated: Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on Rahul Gandhi backing Donald Trump's "dead economy" jibe towards India, a stance that was criticised by several BJP leaders. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on his party colleague Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy" jibe towards India amid trade talks, saying the priority was on a fair deal for New Delhi. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tharoor said, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our relationship with the US, as a strategic and economic partnership, is important for us." 'We are exporting around $90 billion worth of goods to America. We can't be in a position to lose that or have it diminish significantly," he said. 'We must wish our negotiators strength to get a fair deal for India." #WATCH | Mumbai | On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi agreeing with US President Donald Trump's 'dead economy' remark, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, 'I don't want to comment on what my party leader has said. He has his reasons for saying so. My concern is that our… — ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2025 Tharoor also said India should be talking to other regions for exporting Indian goods to make up for some of what it may lose to the United States. 'We already have an FTA with the UK, which has tremendous potential. We are well advancing in talks with the EU. If we have a good agreement with the EU, Japan and other countries, we could make up for some of what we might lose in the US, but we cannot lose everything," he added. 'Dead Economy' Tharoor's remarks came after Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty, citing its refusal to open up agricultural markets and oil imports from Russia, which Washington says is fuelling the Ukraine conflict. In a harsh statement, Trump later said, 'I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care." Rahul Gandhi agreed with Trump's statement, saying, 'Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. BJP has finished the economy to help Adani." His statements drew a fierce response from the BJP, with top leaders accusing him of speaking against the nation. However, Tharoor disagreed with Trump's views and said, 'No, not at all. That is not the case, and we all know it." Several Congress and Opposition leaders also did not back Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of Trump's views and said that the 'Indian economy is not dead". view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 17:52 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
