Change in management at Škoda Auto India

Jean-Marie Lagey has been appointed with the responsibility as Director Technical. Dr. Oliver Gruenberg, Managing Director, Technical, will be leaving India to lead Volkswagen Group’s Russia project in Nizhnij Novgorod. The said changes will be effective from 1st Feb 2012. Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Gruenberg noted that the Indian market is one of the most promising and potential car markets and it was an inspiring challenge to meet the requirements for smooth technical operations and overall business environment. Lagey has extensive work experience in the technical field of Automobiles and had a good amount of experience of working in India, earlier he was responsible for Technical Operations at Skoda Auto’s Aurangabad plant already. Furthermore, Škoda Auto India has appointed Kamal Basu as the Marketing Head. He joins Škoda India from Saatchi & Saatchi, where he served as CEO. Basu will spearhead the Marketing and Communications function at Škoda Auto India and will be responsible to sharpen the positioning for brand Škoda as well as impart a strong imagery to the models sold in India. On Basu’s appointment, Thomas Kuehl, Member of the Board & Director, Sales & Marketing, Škoda Auto India said, “Škoda Auto India recently completed ten glorious years in India and it has been a great experience so far. To continue this momentum and effectively establish our new corporate identity - ‘Simply Clever’, Škoda Auto India is pleased to appoint Basu as the Marketing Head. We are confident that Basu will be successful in driving the communication of Škoda’s central philosophy of ‘Clever engineering with a human touch’ and the attitude of ‘Listen closely to customers’ wishes’ to the consumers.” On joining Škoda Auto India, Basu said, “At Saatchi & Saatchi, I was actively involved in designing campaigns for Škoda Auto India and have had the privilege to work on the recent launch of the Rapid in India. I am honored to now lead Škoda Auto India’s Marketing and Communications function and play an integral part in the brand’s journey in India.”