BMW Group India has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Hardeep Singh Brar as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2025. He takes over from Vikram Pawah, who will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer for BMW Group Australia and New Zealand. Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President, Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BMW Group, highlighted the strategic importance of this move, stating, “India is among the fastest growing markets for BMW Group and an important pillar of our long-term success strategy for the region.”
He further added, “Hardeep Singh Brar holds vast expertise and an intricate understanding of the Indian automotive industry to lead this dynamic market and strengthen BMW Group’s operations here. We want to thank Vikram Pawah for his immense contribution towards the strategic growth of BMW Group India and for playing a decisive role in its recent development.”
Mr Brar brings over 30 years of experience in the Indian automotive sector, having held senior leadership roles across leading automotive brands. Before his appointment at BMW Group India, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India. His extensive career spans roles in sales, marketing, customer experience, network development, and corporate strategy at Maruti-Suzuki, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, General Motors, Nissan Motor, and Great Wall Motor Company.
Outgoing CEO Vikram Pawah has been instrumental in steering BMW Group India since 2017, with a brief tenure in Australia between 2018 and 2020. Under his leadership, BMW Group India expanded its market presence, drove initiatives in electric mobility and digitalisation, and enhanced customer experience, solidifying BMW’s position in India’s premium automotive segment.
BMW Group India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group, has been operating in India since 2007 and remains focused on the premium segment through its BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad brands. The company’s operations include a manufacturing facility in Chennai producing 10 local models, a regional distribution center in Pune, and over 80 touchpoints nationwide. MINI has grown as a premium small-car brand since its launch in 2012, while BMW Motorrad began Indian operations in 2017.
Hardeep Singh Brar holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Punjab, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Senior Executive Leadership Program. Mr Brar’s appointment signals BMW Group’s commitment to deepening its footprint in the Indian market, tapping into growth opportunities across automotive manufacturing, sustainability, and premium mobility solutions.
