Hardeep Brar, the Senior Vice President and National Head of Sales & Marketing at Kia India, has stepped down from his role, with his last working day set for June 30, 2025. This significant leadership change comes as the South Korean automaker continues to expand its footprint and product portfolio in the highly competitive Indian automotive market.
Brar, who joined Kia India in March 2021, has been widely credited for his instrumental role in the company’s remarkable growth trajectory. Under his leadership, Kia India achieved notable milestones, including becoming the fastest car brand in India to surpass the one-million-unit sales mark. His tenure saw a series of successful model launches and refreshes, significantly contributing to an increase in Kia’s brand volume and market presence across both mass-premium and premium segments. These launches included the refreshed Seltos and Sonet, the three-row Carens, the electric vehicle EV6, the new-generation Carnival, and more recently, the newly introduced Syros and Carens Clavis, along with the flagship EV, the Kia EV9.
Sources familiar with the development suggest that Hardeep Brar is likely to join BMW Group India as the Country Head, potentially succeeding Vikram Pawah, who is expected to transition into a broader Asia-Pacific role. Brar brings over two decades of extensive experience in the Indian automotive industry, having previously held senior leadership positions at prominent global OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen India, General Motors India, and Nissan Motor Corporation. His expertise spans a wide array of responsibilities, including sales, marketing, customer service, and network development. He also had a brief stint at Great Wall Motors India.
While Kia India has not yet made an official announcement regarding Brar’s successor, his departure marks a significant moment for the company as it charts its next phase of growth. The move also highlights the dynamic nature of leadership in India’s fast-evolving auto sector, where top executives are frequently recalibrating strategies in response to evolving consumer preferences and the accelerating shift towards electric mobility.
Brar’s potential transition to BMW Group India comes at a crucial juncture for the German luxury automaker, which aims to further solidify its foothold in the premium vehicle market amidst intensifying competition from rivals like Mercedes-Benz and Audi. His proven track record in driving sales growth and market expansion is expected to be a valuable asset in his prospective new role.
Key Highlights:
- Hardeep Brar, Kia India’s Senior Vice President and National Head of Sales & Marketing, is stepping down from his role, with his last day on June 30, 2025.
- Brar played a pivotal role in Kia India’s significant growth since joining in March 2021, leading the company to surpass one million cumulative sales and overseeing numerous successful product launches.
- Reports suggest that Brar is set to join BMW Group India as the Country Head, leveraging his two decades of experience in the Indian automotive industry.
- His departure marks a key leadership change in the competitive Indian auto sector, as Kia plans its future growth and BMW aims to strengthen its premium market position.