Stellantis, a leading global automotive manufacturer, has named Shailesh Hazela as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) for its operations in India. Hazela served as Vice-President of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain for India and the Asia Pacific Region and will succeed Aditya Jairaj, who is relocating to the United States. The transition is expected to be completed by mid-July.
With over 28 years of professional experience spanning various sectors including automotive, telecommunication, and railways, Hazela brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record in driving growth and innovation. Since joining Stellantis in September 2022, he has been instrumental in leveraging the supply base across India, ASEAN, Korea, Japan, and other regions, with a focus on developing Stellantis’ supply base in the India, ASEAN, and Pacific (IAP) region.
Hazela holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering, underlining his strong educational background and qualifications for the role.
Ashwani Muppasani, the Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis India & Asia Pacific, expressed his confidence in Hazela’s leadership, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Shailesh Hazela as our new CEO and MD, and we would like to thank Aditya for his leadership and contributions to Stellantis India. Shailesh’s strategic vision and extensive experience will be instrumental in driving growth and innovation in the Indian market.
In response to his appointment, Hazela expressed his honor in leading Stellantis in India, pledging to uphold and advance the legacy of the company’s iconic brands. He also extended his gratitude to Aditya Jairaj for his contributions and committed to fostering sustainable progress with the company’s exceptional teams and partners. Hazela emphasized his dedication to accelerating technological innovation and strengthening Stellantis’ position in existing and emerging mobility segments.
Stellantis currently operates three manufacturing plants, an ICT Hub, a Software Centre, and two R&D centers in India. The company’s Make in India initiative has been pivotal, with India serving as the only country outside North America to locally produce four Jeep nameplates (Wrangler, Compass, Meridian, and Grand Cherokee) and the Citroën C5 Aircross outside France.
