Nagesh Basavanhalli quits Fiat Group India

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the current President and Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles India Pvt. Ltd. (FGAIPL), Nagesh Basavanhalli plans to leave the company. The Fiat Group India Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, Italy. On seeking a confirmation on this from FGAIPL officials, Motown India got a reply from the company saying "We shall discuss this after January 5, 2015".  

The timing of his departure comes at a time when Fiat is planning to consolidate its position in the Indian. Nagesh Basavanhalli’s association with the Daimler-Chrysler Group dates back to 1999 where he was a senior manager of multiple positions with the company. He was appointed as the President and Managing Director of FGAIPL in April 2013. FGAIPL launched the new Avventura this year along with other launches like the new Punto Evo and the facelifted Fiat Linea. The company plans to launch the 500c Abarth and the Punto Evo Abarth in 2015.

Although there are no confirmed reports as to who will head FGAIPL after Nagesh Basavanhalli steps-down, rumor is that Pablo Rosso, CEO and President, Chrysler Korea will be heading to India to take up this position in January 2015. Before FGAIPL was formed, both Tata Motors and Fiat sold their cars through common dealerships. This arrangement was terminated later. However, a separate tie-up between the companies for manufacturing cars and diesel engines is still operational. The Fiat Group Automobiles India Pvt. Ltd. was also planning to launch the Jeep brand in India and bring the Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Grand Cherokee to India by 2015.