Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has appointed Francesco Louis Blandino as its new Head of Sales and Product Planning, strengthening the leadership team as the German carmaker sharpens its product and market strategy for India.
The appointment was announced by Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, in a LinkedIn post on Thursday. “Great products get conceived from great minds. Francesco joins us with deep experience across some of the world’s most demanding automotive markets, where customer expectations evolve quickly and product excellence is non-negotiable,” Kohli said.
Blandino brings extensive global experience to the role, having spent over seven years in China across Volkswagen Group China and FAW-VW. His previous responsibilities spanned roles such as Chief of Staff, Product Strategy, and Marketing and Product Communication, where he contributed to shaping product portfolios that balanced innovation with brand purpose in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets.
Commenting on his appointment, Blandino described India as a market of “opportunity, complexity, and momentum.” In a LinkedIn post, he said, “I am excited to begin a new chapter at Volkswagen India as Head of Sales and Product Planning and contribute to the next phase of the brand’s journey with a strong and highly motivated team.”
“As we strengthen Volkswagen’s product ambition in India, his global perspective and instinct for what truly resonates with customers will play a decisive role in the road ahead,” Kohli added.
The leadership change comes at a challenging time for Volkswagen India, which reported an 11 per cent year-on-year decline in domestic sales during April–December 2025, despite the launch of the Golf GTI last year. Currently, the brand’s presence in India is centred on the mid-size SUV Taigun and the Virtus sedan. Unlike sister brand Skoda Auto India, Volkswagen does not yet have a volume-driving compact SUV in its portfolio.
Volkswagen has been working to strengthen its footprint in India through sharper product planning and more customer-centric offerings. Blandino’s appointment signals the company’s intent to leverage international expertise as it prepares for the next phase of growth in India’s highly competitive passenger vehicle market.
