Gurpratap Boparai has resigned from his position of MD & CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India. The company has named Christian Cahn von Seelen as interim head of the India operations while the hunt for Boparai's successor is going on. Gurpratap Boparai will have his last working day at Skoda on December 31, 2022. Being at the helm of affairs at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India for nearly four years, he directly reported to the brand's global CEO Thomas Schaeffer. He is widely credited for the restructuring of all the group brands under one umbrella named Skoda Auto Volkswagen India.
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Before joining Skoda, Gurpratap worked for the Jeep brand in India. He was the man behind Jeep's first localized model - Compass - in the Indian market. Boparai was the CEO of Fiat India, when it was in a 50:50 JV with Tata Motors, for almost five years. He has been in the automobile industry for the past three decades. “This was a very difficult decision. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that the team will continue to innovate, excel and deliver beyond its commitments. The INDIA 2.0 project was executed on time thanks to their endeavours, at prioritizing the Indian operations especially in the face of the recent supply chain disruptions.” said Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd on his departure.
Thomas Schaefer, global Chairman, ŠKODA AUTO a.s. said, “It is with deep regret that we accept the resignation of Gurpratap. I would like to thank him for leading the Group’s India operations through a complex merger, and for his outstanding role in ensuring that the Group’s important INDIA 2.0 project was on schedule with only minimal disruptions, despite the challenges that arose from the pandemic. The seamless execution of the merger and the success of the products launched under the project are a testimony to his leadership and deep understanding of all aspects of the automotive business and of the evolving trends in the auto industry. We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I am confident that the leadership team that successfully executed the INDIA 2.0 project under him, is well-equipped to take the company to the next level, in line with our India strategy.”
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