Shenu Agarwal, managing director and chief executive officer of Ashok Leyland, has officially taken over as president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for the 2026-27 term. According to reports from SIAM, the decision was finalised at a meeting of SIAM's Executive Committee during the industry body's annual convention on Thursday. Agarwal, who served as SIAM's Vice President in the previous term, succeeds Shailesh Chandra, managing director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. The new office bearers were elected at SIAM's Executive Committee meeting held on Thursday.
The association has also elected K N Radhakrishnan, director and CEO of TVS Motor Co., as vice president for 2026-27. As reported by SIAM, Santosh Iyer, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, will serve as SIAM's Treasurer for the term. Meanwhile, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has appointed Sriram Viji, managing director of Brakes India, as President for 2026-27, with Anjali Singh, executive chairperson of Anand Group and Gabriel India, as President-Designate. Agarwal took over as managing director and CEO of Ashok Leyland in 2022, before which he was the president at Escorts Kubota Ltd. He had also led its agribusiness for more than seven years and was closely associated with the company's transformation in design, quality and manufacturing standards.
Key discussions at the 66th SIAM Conclave highlighted the urgent need for India's automobile industry to accelerate its transition towards electric mobility and cleaner fuels while building domestic capabilities in advanced automotive technologies. According to official statements, industry leaders, policymakers and experts gathered to discuss the future course of the auto industry, with consensus emerging that the transition to electric mobility is essential for India's automotive sector. This strategic focus reflects the industry's recognition of the need to adapt to changing global automotive trends and environmental concerns. The new leadership emphasizes moving beyond adaptation to shaping the future of mobility, with focus on innovation, sustainability, and positioning India as a global hub for high-value manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions.
Ashok Leyland is implementing an ambitious 50-60% localisation strategy for its electric vehicle battery packs, excluding battery cells, as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported components. According to Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal, who is also SIAM's President-designate, the company is setting up a battery pack manufacturing facility near Chennai and plans to begin production of automotive battery packs by the end of 2027. The company aims to develop its own battery pack and Battery Management System (BMS) technologies in India, with plans to supply these packs not only to its own electric trucks and buses but also to other automobile manufacturers. Agarwal noted that developing the capability to manufacture highly efficient battery cells and packs in India will take time, and the company is evaluating its strategy for power electronics and other EV technologies through a technology roadmap that identifies areas for internal development, partner collaboration, and continued supplier sourcing.
