Akash Passey promoted as VP, Business Region Intl

With 50pc of the Volvo Buses’ business planned to come from Asia by 2015, the company today informed that Akash Passey will now take on a new assignment as Senior Vice President – Business Region International, along with becoming the Chairman of the Board of Volvo Buses in India. Akash will also be a member of the Volvo Bus Executive Committee. He will report to Per Carlsson, President, Volvo Bus Corporation. In his new role as the Chairman of the Board of Volvo Buses in India, Akash will now focus more on the strategic aspects of the business in the country. This would imply greater interactions with external bodies and stakeholders in the arena of bus industry. As the Senior Vice President – Business Region International, apart from other markets, Akash will have specific responsibility to fulfil the company’s ambition to have Asia account for 50pc of the company’s revenues by 2015. Within this plan, the two specific engines of growth are India & China, where India will target revenues of USD 1 billion. Akash joined Volvo in 1997 and has been part of the company’s journey in India since its initial days. He spearheaded the business in various capacities and has been behind the growth of the organisation from its nascent stage in 2001 to becoming a leader in its segments. The company has completed 10 years in India and is today the No.1 Brand in the bus industry. While Akash will continue to represent the local organisation externally as the Chairman of the Board of Volvo Buses in India, Manish Sahi, currently the Chief Operating Officer, will be the Operational Head for the company. Manish brings with him rich experience across diverse business functions, a strong customer focus, and has been associated with Volvo Buses since its early days in India.