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Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's auto sector is seeing a huge churn at the top levels
New Delhi: As the automotive sector in 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.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
‘The American dream has faded': how Jeep reached the end of the road in China
Like many elder Chinese millennials, Alice Yu was deeply saddened last week when she heard the joint venture that made Jeeps in China had declared bankruptcy. The 40-something recalled her then-boyfriend giving her an unforgettable gift in the early 2010s: an imported Jeep Grand Cherokee costing more than 400,000 yuan (US$55,700). At the time, Yu was an up-and-coming media manager living in Shenzhen, and the luxurious SUV seemed to symbolise the 'American dream' of freedom and prosperity that her generation aspired to. But that now feels like another age. The US brand has since fallen badly behind the times in China, leading to plunging sales, spiralling debts and a historic bankruptcy that will send shivers across the global auto industry. On July 8, Stellantis and Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) announced their Chinese joint venture GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had officially declared bankruptcy – a first for a Sino-foreign joint venture in China's car market. Stellantis is a giant multinational that owns brands including Peugeot, Fiat, Chrysler and Maserati. But in China it was long synonymous with Jeep – an iconic brand whose history in the country dates back to 1949, when Mao Zedong was pictured saluting Chinese troops from a US Army Willys Jeep.
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Shareholders in Jeep owner Stellantis back new CEO
Shareholders in US-European auto giant Stellantis , owner of Jeep , Fiat and Peugeot , on Friday gave their overwhelming approval to new CEO Antonio Filosa , a company veteran who last month succeeded Carlos Tavares in the job. His nomination was backed nearly unanimously -- by 99.2 per cent -- in the extraordinary shareholders' meeting, allowing him to sit on the board of the world's fourth-biggest auto group. Filosa, a 52-year-old Italian, was in May tapped to take over from Tavares, the company's Portuguese boss who was sacked in December. Filosa took up his new role on June 23. His task will be to jump-start performance at the struggling group, whose 14 brands also include Chrysler, Dodge and Maserati. Filosa previously headed Stellantis's North America operations, and will continue to do so as CEO. That region accounts for most of the company's profits. The company's chairman, John Elkann, heir to the family that founded Fiat, said Filosa was "deeply involved" in efforts to "constructively interact" with the government of US President Donald Trump, who has slapped 25-per cent tariffs on car imports.
Motor Trend
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
The sleek and roomy 2025 CX‑70 PHEV packs a strong plug-in hybrid powertrain with usable electric-only range, plus a premium, tech-filled interior that matches the rest of the two-row SUV lineup. True to Mazda's reputation, it also delivers confident, well-balanced driving dynamics. Midsize SUV competitors include the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Toyota Crown Signia, and Nissan Murano. What's New Like the very similar CX-90 three-row SUV, the new-for-2025 CX-70 is offered with an available plug-in hybrid powertrain, which comes with the lineup's top trim levels. Other differences between the CX-70 and CX-90 PHEVs include: Exterior Distinct front and rear bumper treatments Black exterior trim instead of smoked chrome Model-specific paint colors and wheels Interior More cargo space than the CX-90 Rear underfloor storage Model-specific leather colors What We Think We prefer the two-row Mazda CX-70 over the similar-looking three-row CX-90, mostly because the CX-70 offers more generous cargo capacity. The plug-in hybrid models are especially appealing. They deliver better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts and provide some electric-only driving range, which is a practical bonus. In MotorTrend testing, the PHEV version was also quicker than the more powerful pure gas model. Its four-cylinder engine sounds great when pushed to wide-open throttle. The ride quality is on the firm side, however, and we noticed that the eight-speed automatic transmission tends to stutter and hesitate in various driving situations—especially at lower speeds. Overall, the CX-70 plug-in hybrid looks good and drives well. Still, it could use more meaningful differentiation from the CX-90 PHEV in terms of design, performance, and driving feel. Top-Ranked Competitors: MotorTrend Tested All CX-70 plug-in hybrids are equipped with a 2.5-liter non-turbo four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack. Output totals are 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is a little less powerful than the top inline-six gas engine (which makes 340 hp) but with the same torque. In MotorTrend testing, the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus sprinted to 60 mph in a commendable 6.0 seconds, 0.3 second quicker than the Turbo S model with the high-output gas engine. Compare that to the Grand Cherokee 4xe's 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Jeep plug-in hybrid comes with a smaller, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and an electric motor integrated into the transmission. Despite greater output, the 4xe is slower to 60 mph than the CX-70 PHEV, needing 6.5 seconds in testing. MPGs and Range The 2025 CX-70 PHEV returns a fuel economy rating of 56 mpg-e combined. With a full tank and fully charged 17.8-kWh battery, total range is an estimated 490 miles. The Mazda can also provide as much as 26 miles of electric-only range for short hops and getting around town. Estimates for the Grand Cherokee 4xe are very similar. The Jeep also gets 56 mpg-e combined and can provide up to 26 miles of driving on electrons alone. Total range is only 470 miles, though. Safety Ratings and Features This year's model does well in safety testing. It's an IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick+, the institute's highest distinction. The Mazda also receives a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features include: Automatic emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic monitoring Lane keeping A driver focus monitor Traffic sign recognition Front and rear parking sensors Adaptive cruise control Cargo Space and Interior Room Cargo capacity is one of the CX-70's strong points, with or without the rear seat folded. Rear legroom is good, too, comparing favorably to the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Toyota Crown Signia hybrid. Technology Infotainment The CX-70 PHEV comes equipped with a standard 12.3-inch driver display and same-sized central screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Through phone mirroring, the infotainment display becomes a touchscreen. A wireless phone charger and four USB ports are also included. Sound System A Bose 12-speaker high-end sound system is included with all 2025 CX-70 PHEV. Available Upgrades The few available add-ons include a digital rearview mirror and exterior running boards. Mazda also offers a tow package with hitch and harness. Value Standard Features The plug-in hybrid models are tops in the CX-70 lineup and therefore come fairly well equipped. All feature a strong, efficient powertrain, an upscale interior with plenty of tech, and generous cargo space. Recommended Trim Offered in Premium and Premium Plus trim levels (or 'packages' as Mazda calls them), we think the lower, more affordable grade should work for most consumers. It sacrifices the standard heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, windshield wiper deicer, front footwell lighting, and automatic power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors for a more approachable sticker price.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Former UFC star Diego Sanchez arrested in Albuquerque after highway shooting
Former UFC star Diego Sanchez arrested in Albuquerque after highway shooting (Image Via X) In Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a busy highway, police say something surprising happened. Diego Sanchez, a former UFC fighter, was a passenger in a Jeep when someone fired a gun. A shot rang out as the Jeep passed a traffic crash on Interstate 40. Police pulled the Jeep over and arrested Sanchez, but he says he did not fire the weapon. No one was hurt, but Sanchez now faces gun-related charges. He was booked into jail and will appear in court soon. Diego Sanchez arrested in Albuquerque Sanchez, 43, was riding in a white Jeep on Interstate 40 on Thursday evening when police say a shot was fired nearby . Police were at the site of a crash when an officer heard a 'loud bang' as the Jeep passed by. Officers pulled the Jeep over near Sixth Street and handcuffed Sanchez. The driver of the Jeep was not charged . Court documents say officers found a gun and two live bullets in the car. Sanchez was booked on charges of shooting from a moving car and careless gun use. He went to jail just after midnight and is still in custody awaiting a judge to set bail . A local TV station first broke the story, and other outlets like ESPN and KOAT followed with details. Investigators say the case is still under review, and Sanchez will return to court soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nvidia's AI Strategy Is Clear - But Is Wall Street Paying Attention? Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Diego Sanchez denies shooting, driver says he did In court records, Sanchez told officers that a gun was in the Jeep but that he 'did not shoot the gun.' However, the Jeep's driver told police that Sanchez was the one who fired the shot . One report quoted the driver as saying Sanchez 'did fire the gun' while Sanchez 'denied shooting the gun.' Also Read: 'I can be an a*shole': Paige Bueckers drops unfiltered to Diana Taurasi at ESPYs 2025 Police found two live rounds and the gun after searching the Jeep. Reports say Sanchez was booked into jail at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and charged with two counts. He remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty. No official statement has come from Sanchez or his team. Sanchez won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005. He was released by the UFC in 2020 after a long career. He even fought bare-knuckle boxing in 2023. Now he faces a very different situation: answering these new charges in court. As of now, he cannot leave jail until a judge sets bail. Investigators have not said when he will be back in court, so people will have to wait for more news. His next court date has not been announced yet, so the public will watch for updates. Sanchez will remain in jail as the case moves forward. For now, this story is still unfolding. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
