BMW Group India has announced automotive veteran Hardeep Singh Brar as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025. He succeeds Vikram Pawah, who transitions to lead BMW Group Australia and New Zealand after significantly growing the Indian market.
Brar brings over 30 years of Indian automotive expertise to BMW, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Nissan, where he spearheaded sales, marketing, network expansion, and customer experience strategies.
Jean-Philippe Parain, BMW Group’s Senior VP for Asia-Pacific, emphasized Brar’s appointment as strategic: “India is among our fastest-growing markets, and Mr. Brar’s deep industry knowledge will drive our success here.” The move underscores BMW’s commitment to India, where luxury car demand continues to surge.A mechanical engineering graduate from Thapar Institute and alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program, Brar combines technical acumen with business strategy prowess.
Outgoing CEO Vikram Pawah leaves after bolstering BMW India’s market share and electrification efforts, including the successful launch of models like the iX and i7 EVs. His new role in Australia reflects BMW’s global confidence in his leadership.
Brar’s immediate challenges include scaling BMW’s EV lineup, expanding dealership networks, and navigating India’s competitive luxury segment. His cross-brand experience positions him uniquely to accelerate BMW’s ambitions. As Brar prepares to steer BMW India into its next chapter, the industry watches for his strategy to harness the country’s premium automotive potential.
