Ravi Pisharody leaves Tata Motors

Tata Motors has announced the departure of Ravi Pisharody. Executive director of the commercial vehicles business of the company, Pisharody joined Tata Motors in 2007 as Vice President – Commercial Vehicles (Sales & Marketing). On the board of various Tata Motors Group Companies, Pisharody steered the Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle business through the lean period of 2008-09. Elevated in 2012 as executive director, he revamped the entire commercial vehicle fleet, including the Signa value oriented HCV truck range. Well aware of the price sensitive Indian commercial vehicle market, Pisharody was instrumental in his company expanding its product portfolio and overhauling the dealer network to be able to maintain its leadership position in the wake of rising competition. Driving hybrid, electric and LNG developments with an emphasis to do as much in-house in order to keep control over processes, quality and costs, Pisharody played an important role in roping action hero Akshay Kumar as the brand ambassador. Under his leadership, Tata Motors regained the lead in buses. The defence vehicles business also grew. His exit citing personal reasons comes as a surprise. It also comes at a time when the company is undergoing restructuring. Pisharody’s exit also comes at a time when the commercial vehicle major has seen its market share drop. Mahindra snatched the lead in small commercial vehicles sometime ago. Pisharody, along with the new MD Guenter Butschek, contributed in a new midterm goal that envisaged Tata Motors to be among the top three commercial vehicle makers by 2019.