[GTO]

Fiat and Chrysler India have announced the appointment of Nagesh Basavanhalli as President and Managing Director. He was previously responsible for Fiat and Chrysler’s APAC (Asia Pacific) Technical Center located in Chennai, India.

Basavanhalli joined Chrysler in 1994 and has held numerous positions in engineering and product planning. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University, a Master of Science from the University of Texas and an MBA from the University of Chicago where he was awarded the “Booth India Business Leader - 2009” by Chicago Booth Business School.

Basavanhalli will manage Fiat and Chrysler India operations, reporting to Mike Manley, Chief Operating Officer for the APAC region. Enrico Atanasio - the outgoing managing director of Fiat India - will take on new responsibilities within the APAC region.

“In the short term, Enrico will work closely with Nagesh on a smooth transition of responsibilities and integration of the new structure to support the continued development of our business in India” said Manley.

[ACM]

Thanks GTO,

Wonder how poor performance at the Top of Automobile Companies is viewed?

Fiat India surely has had probably the worst patch in India over the last 2 Years, and has seen it's sales figures drop significantly insipite of having competent vehicles in the shape of Linea and Punto.

Will the exiting head be able to shift all blame on to TATA, or the Market Situation etc, This looks like more of a reshuffle. Also does Fiat India presently not require a Marketing Wiz rather than a Techie (considering the previous role)? Yep top positions are used to multitask but Fiat right now needs the help of someone with a radical and workable strategy on hand.

Well the results will be the best answer to critics like me. This is a tough point to join at.

Nagesh Basavanahalli was present during the inauguration of Vecto Motors, exclusive FIAT dealership in Bangalore, on 2 March 2013. Here are some photographs of him [third from the left] with Enrico Atanasio:

[su1978]

Surely, appointing a marketing guy in place of a techie would have done wonders for Fiat portfolio which is already under severe pressure to perform and has probably performed the worst. The motive behind doing so would be the fact that Fiat is happy supplying engines to maruti and tata and they do not need to look elsewhere. They already have their tummyfull with the royalities earned from doing so. will not be surprised if we see a total R&D person take over from this gentleman next time. Good luck FIAT

Another nail in the coffin.

[StarrySky]

Surprised to see a new MD at Fiat India at this point. Mr.Enrico seemed to have put together a plan for Fiat's revival in India and setting up of independent sales/service centres was only the first part of the plan. I thought he would remain at the helm for atleast a couple of years more.

On the other hand, not surpised to see some sweeping statements about Fiat in this thread:

New MD was previously "responsible for" Fiat's Technical Centre = He is a Techie and does not know marketing
Fiat appoints "Techie" to MD post = They are interested in selling engines only

If they wanted to sell engines only, what is the purpose of the new independent service centres? To sell engines to the general public (car comes FREE)?

[karan561]

In Mumbai, April 3, 2013;

Fiat Group Automobiles India Pvt Ltd (FGAIPL) and Chrysler India Automotive Pvt Ltd have announced the appointment of Nagesh A Basavanhalli as president and MD for Fiat and Chrysler India operations as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen their business position in India.

With 18 years of automotive experience, Basavanhalli leveraged his expertise and network roping in talent from the US auto industry and from its supplier base to build the Chennai tech centre, starting off initially with just 10-15 people.

In an interview to Autocar Professional in August last year, Basavanhalli had said: “Our work is focused on global (and regional) automotive product development and virtual validation — body, interior, chassis, electrical, engine systems, powertrain, and CAE (simulation) based upon a project approach from all regions of the Group. This centre supports APAC (China and India) product development. This will involve localisation of global platforms and components for regional markets or working on ‘innovation’ projects from India to the rest of the world.”

Source & Full Article

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by ACM

Thanks GTO,

Wonder how poor performance at the Top of Automobile Companies is viewed?

Fiat India surely has had probably the worst patch in India over the last 2 Years, and has seen it's sales figures drop significantly insipite of having competent vehicles in the shape of Linea and Punto.

On the other hand - I'd say FIAT had the best stint during the last two years. For the first time - they came up with a plan, a solid one that could work. Not just a short cut method to rope in some other company, but a hard one that would build a foundation.

The slide in sales was expected in the short-term, but FIAT had to make sure they set the foundation right before proceeding any further.

Originally Posted by su1978

Surely, appointing a marketing guy in place of a techie would have done wonders for Fiat portfolio which is already under severe pressure to perform and has probably performed the worst.

Another nail in the coffin.

Originally Posted by StarrySky

New MD was previously "responsible for" Fiat's Technical Centre = He is a Techie and does not know marketing
Fiat appoints "Techie" to MD post = They are interested in selling engines only

I feel the important term here is CHRYSLER and not 'techie', with the future destined to be shared with chrysler products as well (JEEP being the first to be introduced).

Moreover - this could bring more focus to the Indian market - in the development of the all new upper B and C segment SUVs declared in the FIAT India roadmap for 2015. If anything can bring some numbers to FIAT now - its those new products and Mr. Basavanhalli WILL HAVE/ WOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD a big say in how these products turn out.

[karan561]

The Fiat Group has lined up vehicle launches and refreshes in India and will leverage its Chrysler R&D facility as it aims at one percent market share by the end of 2013-14.

In the first phase of the new drive, 51 dealerships have started operations and 16 more are at a preparatory phase. The plan is to cross the 100-dealership mark by the end of 2013. The new set of exclusive Fiat dealers has been appointed by the new national sales company, which is an independent entity within the Fiat Chrysler India operations.

Source: http://autocarpro.in/contents/others...px?OtherID=193

[prateekswarup]

Well, apparently, this change in management maybe responsible for the new Fiat advertisements hitting the television.

I also looked at the Fiat India website, and it seems to have revamped into a much better and well integrated website.

Can't say about the cars - whether this change has also bought about better quality control at factory levels, so to make niggle free Puntos and Lineas.

Waiting for a new ownership review to confirm the change.