Gurpratap S Boparai has resigned as Mahindra & Mahindra’s (M&M) CEO of automotive business in Europe and CEO- MTBD (Mahindra Truck & Buses Division) & CE (Construction Equipment). His last working day at the company will be May 31, 2024.
Boparai has “decided to pursue opportunities outside the Mahindra Group,” as per an internal circular of the company. He played a significant role in the company’s MTBD and CE business, driving the divestment and all related activities at Peugeot Motorcycles and oversaw APF (Automobili Pininfarina).
With over three decades of experience in the automotive industry, Boparai joined the Mahindra Group in January 2022. Prior to this, he was the Managing Director of the Indian subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group reporting directly to its global CEO Thomas Schaeffer. He spent close to 45 months at the company and left in December 2021. Earlier, he was appointed as the MD of Skoda Auto India Private Limited in 2018 where he led the restructuring of all the group brands under a new entity – Skoda Auto Volkswagen India which offered the Czech brand the lead responsibility in the country.
Prior to Skoda Auto Volkswagen, Boparai was responsible for the industrialisation of the first Jeep model in India – the Compass SUV. He was the CEO of Fiat India Private Limited for almost five years.
In transition from Gurpratap, Auto & Farm sector’s CFO (Chief Finance Officer) Rajeev Goyal will provide oversight to the APF business. He has been associated with the Group in different roles for about 18 years.
Vinod Sahay, President and CPO (Chief Purchase Officer) at APF and President for Aerospace & Defence will take up an additional responsibility of MTBD and CE. Associated with Mahindra for almost 9 years, he was earlier working as Business Head- I&MHCV trucks, telematics business, AMC business at Tata Motors.
Sahay will continue to report to Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group for Aerospace & Defence. Additionally, he will report to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director- Auto & Farm Equipment for his responsibilities related to CPO (AFS), MTBD & CE.