General Motors Co (GM.N) on Monday stated that Kaher Kazem will become head of its India unit from Jan. 1 after the current chief; Arvind Saxena retires as general manager at year-end.
Kazem, a 46-year-old Australian executive who became GM India’s chief operating officer in August this year, is highly appreciated within the company for leading GM’s Uzbekistan operations from 2012, company sources said. He has been working with GM since 1995.
His promotion comes as the automaker fights to increase sales in the world’s fifth largest auto market due to a lack of competitive products. GM announced in July that it would capitalize $1 billion over the next few years to transform India into a global export hub and boost sales of its Chevrolet brand.
By 2020, analysts anticipate India to become the world’s third-largest passenger vehicle market after China and the United States.
Stefan Jacoby, chief of GM International whose operations include those in India in a statement said, “GM is committed to India for the long term. Kaher’s proven track record will enable us to deliver.”
It was not immediately clear why the 55-year-old Saxena, who had earlier worked at Volkswagen AG and Hyundai Motor Co in India, decided to step down from GM after only two years on the job.