The Executive Committee of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body representing the country’s leading automakers, has elected Ashok Leyland Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal as its President for the 2026–27 term.
The announcement followed an Executive Committee meeting held during the industry body’s annual convention in New Delhi. Agarwal, who previously served as the association’s Vice President, takes over the reins from Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.
Alongside Agarwal’s elevation, the committee finalised other key leadership appointments. K N Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO of TVS Motor Company, has been elected as the Vice President of SIAM for 2026–27. Meanwhile, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, will take on the role of Treasurer.
Agarwal assumes leadership at a transformative juncture for India’s automotive landscape. The sector is currently balancing steady post-pandemic domestic demand with rapid structural disruptions, including the transition toward zero-emission powertrains, tighter emission mandates, increased localisation of advanced technologies, and evolving global supply chain dynamics.
With decades of strategic experience across the commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery segments, Agarwal brings deep operational insight to the apex post. As head of Ashok Leyland, he has championed alternative-fuel mobility solutions, including electric and hydrogen propulsion, alongside cost-optimisation strategies.
During his tenure as SIAM President, Agarwal is expected to spearhead key dialogues between automakers and the government, focusing on policy continuity, electric vehicle adoption, infrastructure readiness, and broader manufacturing competitiveness under initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. His leadership will be pivotal in uniting commercial vehicle, passenger vehicle, and two-wheeler manufacturers toward a common, sustainable roadmap.
