Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL), the Indian arm of the Volkswagen Group, has announced the appointment of Ashish Gupta as Brand Director for Skoda India and Nitin Kohli as Brand Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Ashish Gupta transitions to his new role after serving as Brand Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars in India. He takes over from Petr Janeba, who is returning to Skoda Auto’s headquarters in the Czech Republic after completing his assignment in India. Nitin Kohli previously led sales and operations at Audi India and now assumes responsibility for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand.
In his new position, Gupta will lead Skoda’s strategy focused on accelerating growth, strengthening the dealer network, enhancing customer engagement, and reinforcing the brand’s identity in the Indian market.
Petr Janeba, a long-standing member of the Skoda organization since 2004, played a key role in advancing Skoda’s position in India by implementing customer-centric initiatives and growth strategies during his tenure. SAVWIPL manages operations for five brands in India: Volkswagen, Skoda Auto, Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini.
“These leadership appointments reflect our focus on localisation and strengthening internal talent within the Indian market. Both Ashish and Nitin bring extensive experience and a deep understanding of the industry, positioning them well to lead their respective brands into the next phase of development,” said Piyush Arora, CEO and Managing Director of SAVWIPL.
Gupta brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive sector, including more than a decade within the Volkswagen Group. He has spent the last five years overseeing the Volkswagen brand’s operations in India. Kohli, with 25 years in the automotive industry, has a strong background in sales strategy, business development, and leadership across multiple brands within the Group.
Commenting on the appointments, Jan Bures, Board Member and Executive Director for Sales, Marketing and Digital at SAVWIPL, stated, “The new leadership structure underlines our commitment to building capable, forward-looking teams from within the region. Ashish and Nitin are well-equipped to lead Skoda and Volkswagen through the evolving dynamics of the Indian automotive landscape.”
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) is driving the future of mobility in India, offering exceptional career opportunities, a culture rooted in continuous innovation, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Headquartered in Pune, SAVWIPL oversees the Indian operations of five renowned automotive brands: Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini. The company’s commitment to excellence has earned it several prestigious recognitions, including ‘Great Place to Work’, ‘Top Employer’, and HR Asia’s ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ in 2023. SAVWIPL operates two advanced manufacturing facilities located in Chakan, Pune, and Shendra, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). With a legacy spanning more than 20 years, the company offers India’s most extensive portfolio of vehicles, covering both Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models.
