Valeo names Périllat as chief executive officer

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Valeo has announced that its board of directors appointed Christophe Périllat as chief executive officer.

Jacques Aschenbroich will continue to be the chairman until the end of his current term of office as a director, the company said in a statement.

The board thanked Jacques Aschenbroich, expressing its profound gratitude for his exceptional record during his 13 years as head of Valeo Group, during which Valeo doubled in size and its market capitalisation increased more than sevenfold. 

Under Aschenbroich, Valeo has positioned itself amongst the world leaders in the most promising segments of the automotive industry, such as driving assistance systems and electrification.

Périllat has good expertise in the automotive sector and intimate knowledge of Valeo, where he has been working for more than 20 years. 

Aschenbroich said, "This governance evolution is the culmination of a gradual succession plan announced in October 2020, which has been moving forward under excellent conditions. I am delighted with the decision to appoint Christophe Périllat as chief executive officer. I am convinced that with the quality of his career with the Group for over 20 years and his in-depth knowledge of the automotive sector, he will be able to guide Valeo through the ongoing automotive revolution and define the strategic orientations that are necessary to strengthen its leadership and seize all opportunities in the years to come. Along with our 110,300 employees, I will continue to support him in my capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors."

Périllat said, "I would like to thank Jacques Aschenbroich and the board of directors for their vote of confidence in appointing me as chief executive officer. I am extremely enthusiastic about taking up this role and I know I can count on all our employees, who are ready to face any challenge. I am fully aware of my responsibility to all our stakeholders, customers, employees, business partners and shareholders, and I want to assure them of my strong will to continue developing the Group and strengthening even more its position at the forefront of the most dynamic segments of the automotive industry, everywhere in the world."

Meanwhile, Valeo has reported a five percent increase in sales at EUR 17.3 billion for full-year 2021 compared to the sale in 2020. The company’s EBITDA margin reached 13.4 per cent of sales in 2021 due to the “robust operational efficiency of its plants and the tight control over its research and development expenditures.”

Perillat said, “In the difficult context of a severe worldwide shortage of electronic components, which drastically limited 2021 automotive production, Valeo demonstrated strong resilience, supplying its customers without disruption, maintaining tight control over its costs and delivering a solid financial performance. The inventory increase implemented to protect our customers will be gradually reversed in 2022, as supply conditions improve. I would like to thank all the Valeo teams that made this performance possible." (MT)

Mahindra Launches New Bolero and Bolero Neo Range With Prices Starting At INR 799,000

Mahindra Bolero

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced the new Bolero range with prices starting INR 799,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end B8 variant priced at INR 969,000 (ex-showroom). The new Bolero Neo starts at INR 849,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end N11 variant at INR 999,000 (ex-showroom).

With a history of 25 years and over 1.6 million customers, the Bolero remains a versatile SUV, navigating diverse terrains from city streets to rural landscapes, offering adaptability and value.

The new Bolero features a new grille, fog lamps and diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the Bolero offers a new 17.8 cm touchscreen infotainment & music system, steering-mounted controls and leatherette upholstery with better seat comfort. The RideFlo ride and handling tech gives better stability and control, with improved suspension. The Bolero is powered by the mHAWK75 engine delivering power of 55.9 kW and 210 Nm torque, with body-on-frame construction. The company has also introduced a new Stealth Black colour, along with existing colours.

On the other hand, the new Bolero Neo combines toughness with urban style. It features a sleek new grille with horizontal accents and dark metallic grey R16 alloy wheels. Interior theme options are Lunar Grey and Mocha Brown. Comfort features include leatherette upholstery and better seat ergonomics. It has a 22.8 cm infotainment system, a rear-view camera and a USB C-type charging port. The RideFlo tech, along with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD), ensure smooth rides. It is powered by the mHAWK100 engine delivering power of 73.5 kW and 260 Nm torque and includes cruise control and Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT) for better traction. New colours include Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey, plus three dual-tone options.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Bolero has stood the test of time, earning its place as one of India’s most versatile and tough SUVs for over 25 years. Building on this enduring legacy, the new Bolero range has been thoughtfully designed to meet the aspirations of a dynamic and rapidly evolving New India. With a perfect blend of toughness, contemporary styling, enhanced comfort, and modern features, the new Bolero and Bolero Neo deliver a powerful SUV experience that shines equally in urban environments and challenging terrains.”

JCBL Armouring Enters India’s Luxury Car Protection Market

JCBL

JCBL Armouring Solutions, a provider of armouring solutions in India, is entering the luxury car protection segment. The company stated it has worked on premium vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Defender, giving protection while maintaining vehicle performance.

India’s luxury protected vehicle segment is reporting growth at a 15–20 percent CAGR. JCBL stated its technology provides ballistic protection while preserving vehicle elegance and dynamics. The company serves VVIPs, celebrities and individuals with high net worth. It focuses on lightweight armouring that keeps strength, agility and comfort after the protection process.

Each vehicle is tested at accredited labs, including the NFSU Ballistic Research and Testing Lab and complies with certification standards from VRDE, ICAT and DRDO. The company’s R&D centre is approved by DSIR and it holds a DIPP license.

Rushank Doshi, CEO, JCBL Armouring Solutions, said, "Luxury should never come at the cost of safety. We are redefining secure mobility in India’s luxury car segment, ensuring top-tier protection without compromising elegance, performance, or craftsmanship. This reflects JCBL Group’s commitment to excellence, innovation and world-class engineering."

JCBL Armouring Solutions also reinforces vehicle components, including suspension and braking systems, to maintain performance and dynamics. Security features include run-flat tyres, bullet-resistant glasses and a reinforced structure. The company offers aftersales services, including maintenance, upgrades and training for customers on handling protected vehicles.

Kia India Appoints New Sales and Business Chiefs In Leadership Reshuffle

Kia India

Kia India has announced a significant change to its leadership team, naming Sunhack Park as Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and Joonsu Cho as Chief Business Officer (CBO).

As the new CSO, Park will head Kia India’s sales strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, improving operational efficiency and expanding the brand’s market reach. He brings over 28 years of international automotive experience, having held key leadership positions at Kia Headquarters in South Korea, the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and India.

Cho, in his role as CBO, will be responsible for crafting business strategies, overseeing production planning and export logistics, leading cross-functional teams and forging strategic alliances to ensure operational excellence. He has over 32 years of leadership experience from global roles in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Sunhack Park, said, “I am privileged to take on the role as Chief Sales Officer. This is an exciting phase for the brand as we continue to expand our presence in a dynamic and evolving market. My focus will be on driving sales growth, optimizing operational efficiency, and strengthening our dealer and partner ecosystem.”

Joonsu Cho, said, “I am honored to assume the role of Chief Business Officer. Kia India has made remarkable strides in the market, and my priority will be to develop and execute robust business strategies that support sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

Raghava Rao

RattanIndia Enterprises-owned Revolt Motors, a leading electric motorcycle brand, is strengthening its leadership team and has appointed Raghava Rao as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO).

Rao, a seasoned industry leader, comes with over two decades of diverse experience across the automotive sector, spanning two-wheelers, tractors, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Prior to joining Revolt Motors, he has held senior leadership positions at Kinetic Engineering, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Piaggio Vehicles and TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric).

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Rao has expertise in channel sales, customer support, customer experience and market insights, with a proven track record of driving business growth and customer success.

Anjali Rattan, Chairperson, RattanIndia Enterprises, said, “We are delighted to welcome Raghava Rao to the Revolt family. His deep expertise in the automotive industry and proven leadership across multiple business functions will play a crucial role in accelerating our growth journey and further strengthening Revolt’s position as India’s No.1 electric motorcycle brand.”

Rao is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (General Management Program), holds a B.Tech degree from BITS Pilani, and a PGCSM from XLRI Jamshedpur.