Nissan Motor India has officially named Saurabh Vatsa as the Managing Director of the company, effective April 1, 2024. Vatsa was previously appointed as the Deputy Managing Director by the company on January 15 of this year.
In his new role as MD, Saurabh Vatsa will report directly to Frank Torres, President of Nissan India Operations and Regional Divisional Vice President of Business Transformation (AMIEO).
Saurabh Vatsa will take over from the current Managing Director, Rakesh Srivastava, who is set to retire on March 31, 2024. During Srivastava’s tenure, Nissan witnessed the successful launch of the Nissan Magnite B-SUV in the Indian market.
Notably, the Nissan Magnite has achieved remarkable success since its introduction in 2020, with cumulative domestic sales surpassing 100,000 SUVs as of February 2024.
Under Rakesh Srivastava’s leadership, Nissan earned prestigious accolades such as the Global Nissan President Award for Project Magnite in 2020 and for the Nissan India Business Transformation Plan in 2022. The company expresses its gratitude to Rakesh for his significant contributions and leadership, extending best wishes for his future endeavors.
Frank Torres, President, Nissan India Operations said, “Rakesh has been a key member of our India leadership team. We thank Rakesh for his exceptional leadership, tenacity, and wisdom in leading the company through turbulent times including the COVID-19 pandemic while contributing to the turnaround of India business operations. As we transition into a new phase of the transformation plan for India, we are assured of having an experienced and insightful leader in Saurabh Vatsa. He will build on the foundation laid by Rakesh and spearhead our next phase of growth as we prepare to deliver on the MTP and enter FY24.”
Commenting on his elevation, Saurabh Vatsa said, “I am excited to be part of Nissan at this crucial juncture of our growth plans in India. India presents a complex and challenging market, and Nissan, with its global brand stature, rich legacy, and cutting-edge technology is poised to deliver on this promise. We are constantly pushing the boundaries on ‘what’s next’ and our daring spirit of innovation is what sets us apart. We intend to deliver on the ongoing business transformation plan in preparation for the MTP which includes a new product portfolio and enhanced customer centricity.”
