Gurugram, 15 January 2023: In a move that’s more revved up than a sports car at a green light, Nissan Motor India (NMIPL) has announced the appointment of Saurabh Vatsa as their new Deputy Managing Director, effective today. Like a seasoned pit crew chief, Saurabh will report to Managing Director Rakesh Srivastava, assisting in steering Nissan towards its ambitious ‘Mid Term Plan’ and ‘Ambition 2030’ goals. This strategic move is part of Nissan’s master plan to navigate the fast lanes and bumpy roads of the Indian automotive industry.
Saurabh, a veteran in the car-racing world of business, zooms into Nissan from Stellantis. At Stellantis, he wasn’t just warming the bench; he led the Citroen brand from the driver’s seat since its launch in India, overseeing all aspects of the business. Before that, Saurabh was a key player at General Motors (GM) for over 20 years, with pit stops in South Korea and various leadership roles.
He’s not just any driver; Saurabh is equipped with a dashboard full of experience across Asian markets and a trunk full of knowledge in the automotive industry. His journey includes pit stops in Product Planning, Program Management, Sales Planning, Marketing, and Retail/Commercial Sales. A graduate of Delhi University with an MBA from the International Management Institute, Saurabh also polished his skills with an executive management program at London Business School.
Frank Torres, President of Nissan India Operations, couldn’t hide his excitement: “Strapping in Saurabh as our Deputy Managing Director is like adding a turbocharger to our team as we race into 2024. His joining is a key part of our $600 million USD investment game plan in India. We’re gearing up to introduce more consumer-focused products as part of our transformation. With Saurabh on board, the next lap for Nissan is set to be a thrilling ride, building on the success of the Nissan Magnite.”
In his new role, Saurabh is expected to rev up Nissan’s transformation engine, prepping the company for an exhilarating journey as outlined in their 2023 strategy. Stay tuned, because it looks like Nissan’s ride in India is about to get a lot more exciting!
