
Gurpratap Boparai, former Managing Director of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWI) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Europe automotive division.
M&M Europe automotive division includes brands like Automobili Pininfarina and Peugeot Motorcycles. Boparai will be based at Chakan in Mahindra & Mahindra.
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director – Auto and Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra said on social media, “We are delighted to welcome Gurpratap Boparai to Mahindra – in a very exciting role.”
In early December 2021, Boprai had resigned as Managing Director of Skoda Volkswagen Auto India after successfully steering VW Group’s ambitious India 2.0 program for three years since his appointment in April 2018.
Gurpratap Boparai’s resignation from Skoda Auto Volkswagen India was announced on December 15, 2021, and he officially stepped down from his position on January 1, 2022.
Having spent almost 3 years with the company, Boparai spearheaded the India 2.0 strategy for the group which saw both Volkswagen and Skoda Auto India investing heavily in the country to make cars in India,
Recently, the company announced that Piyush Arora succeed Boparai as the new chief.
Prior to joining Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, Gurpratap was leading Fiat in the position of CEO for almost six years. Previously he has also been associated with companies like TELCO, Ocap Chassis Parts, Iveco and Tata Cummins.
Boparai did bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Punjab Engineering College and earned MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur.