Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has announced a key leadership transition with the appointment of Ashish Gupta as Brand Director of Škoda India, effective 1st May 2025. Gupta, currently Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, succeeds Petr Janeba, who concludes his successful tenure in India and returns to Škoda Auto in the Czech Republic. Janeba, who has been part of the Škoda family since 1999, played a pivotal role in strengthening the brand's positioning and driving customer-centric growth strategies during his time in India.
Ashish Gupta brings over two decades of experience in the automotive industry, including more than 12 years with the Volkswagen Group in various capacities. He has spent the last five years leading the Volkswagen brand in India. In his new role, Gupta will focus on accelerating Škoda's growth strategy, enhancing customer trust, expanding the brand's network, and creating a sharper, more resonant presence in the Indian market.
Nitin Kohli, currently heading Sales and Operations at Audi India, will assume the role of Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars from 1st May 2025. With over 25 years of experience in automotive sales — including 12 years with Škoda Auto Volkswagen India — Kohli brings deep expertise in business development, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. He is well-positioned to drive the next chapter of growth for the Volkswagen brand in India.
These leadership changes reflect the company's continued commitment to recognising and nurturing homegrown talent and empowering leaders with a strong understanding of the evolving Indian market.
Piyush Arora, CEO & Managing Director, SAVWIPL, said, "The leadership changes reflect our ongoing commitment to localisation and building capabilities within our Indian organisation. Empowering strong Indian leaders is a core pillar of our growth strategy, enabling us to remain agile, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of our customers and business landscape. With their deep market insight and strategic clarity, Ashish and Nitin are ideally positioned to steer Škoda and Volkswagen towards their next phase of growth in India. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Petr Janeba for his invaluable contribution and wish him continued success in his next role."
Jan Bures, Board Member and Executive Director, Sales, Marketing & Digital, SAVWIPL, added, "Ashish and Nitin have consistently demonstrated impact through agility and customer-centric thinking. Their appointment is not merely a leadership shift—it represents a broader move towards building resilient, future-ready teams from within India. We are confident that both leaders will inject renewed momentum into the India journey of Škoda and Volkswagen."
This leadership transition is part of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India's ongoing transformation efforts, reinforcing its vision to develop local talent, promote cross-brand synergies, and lay a solid foundation for sustained success in India.
