INDIA, 10th November 2025: In a landmark development for India’s automotive sector, Shailesh Chandra, the President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Managing Director & CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., has been elected President of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), effective November 1, 2025.
He succeeds John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in the USA.
Chandra’s election marks the first time an Indian industry leader has been chosen to head OICA, the global federation representing national associations of motor vehicle manufacturers, since its founding in 1919.
This appointment is widely seen as a reflection of India’s growing stature in the global mobility landscape and its increasing alignment with international sustainability goals.
“It is an honour to become the first OICA President from India, which highlights the organisation’s global representation,” said Chandra. “As the global automotive industry transitions towards sustainable mobility and pursues ‘Net Zero’ in alignment with the visions of governments worldwide, the role of OICA becomes increasingly critical.
We must acknowledge the diversity of every region as we collectively strive to make our vehicles more aspirational, safer, and environmentally friendly.”
Strengthening India’s Voice in Global Automotive Policy
Chandra’s leadership at OICA comes at a transformative moment for India. The country has become the third-largest automotive market globally and a key player in the electric mobility transition. As governments and industry bodies worldwide work to harmonise vehicle regulations, emissions standards, and sustainability frameworks, India’s perspective—shaped by cost-conscious innovation and rapid electrification—will now have a stronger voice.
OICA, which consists of 36 national associations from all continents, represents the global automotive industry in international discussions on mobility, environment, safety, and economy. It also plays a central role at the United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE WP.29), where it promotes harmonised technical standards across markets.
With Chandra’s appointment, Indian automakers and policymakers will gain greater visibility on these global platforms, especially as India advances its own roadmaps for EV adoption, biofuels, hydrogen mobility, and supply-chain localisation.
A Leader Shaping India’s EV Story
Chandra, a mechanical engineering graduate from IIT Varanasi, holds an Executive MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University. He brings over two decades of leadership experience within Tata Motors, focusing on corporate strategy and electric mobility.
His tenure has been marked by the turnaround of Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle business and the rapid growth of its EV division, which today leads India’s electric car market. Chandra has been recognized for his significant contributions to transforming India’s mobility ecosystem.
Global Collaboration for Sustainable Mobility
OICA also announced the election of Hildegard Müller, President of the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), as its Vice President, acknowledging her leadership in Europe’s automotive transformation.
Together, Chandra and Müller will lead OICA at a time when the global industry faces rapid technological change, new emission regulations, and evolving consumer expectations. The organisation continues to coordinate global automotive production and sales statistics, support international motor shows, and foster cooperation between manufacturers and governments worldwide.
Shailesh Chandra’s presidency marks a significant milestone in India’s role in the global supply chain and clean mobility agenda. Industry experts believe it reflects the country’s growing presence in the global automotive conversation.
