Arvind Saxena to take over the reins at GM

Volkwagen Passenger Cars India’s current MD, Arvind Saxena is set to take charge at GM India as president and managing director effective March 1, 2014. GM India has officiallly announced his appointment today. Saxena will be replacing Lowell Paddok who will be heading to GM’s International Office in Singapore.

In his 30-years of experience in the industry, Saxena has worked with top brands like Hyundai Motor India, Maruti Suzuki India in the new millennium apart from Escorts Motorcycle and Scooter division in the eighties. This strategic move suggests that GM is keen to benefit from Saxena’s experience having worked with such brand names and thus his understanding of the Indian market. A market which is quite demanding, has recently seen international automotive manufacturers bring out models specific to India’s needs and requirements. Saxena’s vast knowledge and expertise in marketing and sales will prove beneficial for GM, who has been struggling to keep up with rivals, in this highly competitive market.

Regrading Saxena’s appointment, Stefan Jacoby, GM Executive Vice President and President, GM International Operations said, “We are delighted to have Arvind join our team and with his extensive experience, lead us in to a successful future in India, with its significant growth potential. GM is committed to India and with Arvind’s leadership, we look forward to recognizing the long-term growth potential of the market.”

Saxena joined VW in 2012 and came up with innovative ideas to boost sales for VW in his short stint there. Discounts are the most lucrative proposition for prospective buyers and one such scheme was to buy the VW Vento for Rs 1 in exchange for their old car while the balance could be repaid after 11 months. This was an offer by Volkswagen Finance that was extremely difficult to replicate by competitors.

An engineer and an MBA, Saxena is sure to liven up GM India’s declining fortunes in India.