Gurugram: In a boardroom manoeuvre worthy of a high-performance engine swap, BMW Group India has appointed Hardeep Singh Brar as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2025. The outgoing CEO, Vikram Pawah, will rev up the BMW agenda down under as he takes charge of operations in Australia and New Zealand.
The news comes as BMW continues to steer ahead in India, now a high-growth hotspot on the brand’s global radar. Announcing the leadership reshuffle, Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior VP for the vast Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region, said, “India is an important market for us, and Brar’s deep-rooted expertise makes him the perfect driver for our next lap of growth.”
New Driver, Same Track
Hardeep Singh Brar is no stranger to fast lanes and premium brands. From kickstarting sales strategies at Kia India to navigating leadership roles at Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, General Motors, Nissan, and Great Wall Motors, Brar has pretty much test-driven every corner of the Indian auto circuit. Armed with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Thapar Institute and an executive pit stop at Harvard Business School, Brar is expected to bring a potent blend of horsepower and human insight to the luxury marque.
“I look forward to steering BMW India into its next growth phase. Hopefully with more launch events and fewer traffic jams,” Brar said with a smile that probably costs extra in the accessories list.
The Pawah Legacy: An M Performance Ride
Vikram Pawah, who has already had stints both in India and Australia with BMW, is now taking his leadership talents back to the southern hemisphere. During his tenure, BMW India accelerated electric mobility, digitalisation, and market share — all without needing launch control.
He leaves behind not just a stronger brand, but some very big driving shoes to fill.
From Punjab to Power Seats
As Brar prepares to slide into the driver’s seat, industry observers are hopeful that under his guidance, BMW India will continue its upward trajectory — perhaps with a few new models, more EVs, and the occasional 0-100 km/h surprise.
In BMW India’s corporate cockpit, it’s clear: the next lap has already begun.
