Kia India has named Atul Sood as its new Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, with the appointment taking effect on July 11, 2025. The move is part of the company’s efforts to reinforce its presence in India’s competitive passenger vehicle segment.
Mr Sood brings with him nearly 30 years of experience in the automobile sector. Prior to this role, he was President and Director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India. His career also includes key positions at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific. He steps in following the exit of Hardeep Singh Brar, who has taken over as President and CEO of BMW Group India.
This leadership transition comes as Kia India enters a new phase of expansion. The carmaker recently crossed the milestone of one million units sold in the country within five years—propelled by models like the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens. However, it lost its place in the top five list of Indian carmakers last fiscal year, with Toyota Kirloskar overtaking it in 2023-24.
During his time at Toyota, Mr Sood played a role in launching hybrid vehicles such as the Innova Hycross and Urban Cruiser Hyryder. He also led initiatives targeting growth in smaller towns and rural areas—experience that may help Kia as it looks to expand in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. His expertise in managing premium brands and distribution networks supports Kia’s ambitions in hybrid and electric vehicle segments.
The company’s strategy includes expanding its lineup, growing its export footprint, and accelerating the shift to electrification. Kia recently introduced the Syros and Carens Clavis in early 2025, with electric versions expected over the coming year. Hybrid models including the Seltos Hybrid and Sorento Hybrid are also in the pipeline for 2026.
This appointment highlights the increasing competition in the Indian auto industry. Kia faces pressure from the Maruti-Toyota partnership, Hyundai’s focus on electric mobility, and Tata Motors’ aggressive SUV and EV strategy. Analysts believe that Kia’s ability to execute on product launches, distribution, and customer engagement will be key to its growth.
Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, said that Mr Sood’s knowledge and experience would support the brand’s goals of boosting market presence and improving customer satisfaction. Mr Sood expressed excitement about the new role, citing the company’s focus on innovation and consumer needs.
Mr Brar’s shift to BMW marks a major change in the automotive leadership landscape in India. Since joining Kia in 2021, he was instrumental in expanding the brand’s retail presence and increasing market share. At BMW, he will lead operations for the BMW, MINI, and Motorrad brands as the company deepens its electrification and digital transformation in the country.
Kia runs a manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur District with a yearly capacity of 300,000 vehicles. To date, the facility has handled over 1.5 million vehicle shipments, including 1.2 million sold in India and around 367,000 exported. The company operates 744 customer touchpoints in 329 cities and has over 450,000 connected vehicles on Indian roads.
Mr Sood steps into the role at a time when the Indian car market faces headwinds like high inventory and aggressive discounting. His leadership is expected to strengthen Kia’s retail strategies, support new SUV and EV introductions, and enhance its outreach in developing markets.
