Kaher Kazem will be the new President and Managing Director of GM India, starting January 1st 2016.
Kazem will work out of GM’s India headquarters based in Gurgaon; this decision was made soon after Arvind Saxena retired from his post after serving GM for a little less than two years. Saxena, with over 32 years of experience in the auto industry was also instrumental in establishing the Korean carmaker, Hyundai Motors in India.
Kazem began his career with GM in 1995 at GM Holden in Australia as a senior engineer. In 2009, Kazem became Vice President of the manufacturing and quality division for GM’s Thailand operations and after that was appointed President and Managing Director of GM Uzbekistan in 2012. In India, Kazem served as Chief Operating Officer of GM India before his new role kicked in and oversaw the industrial side of GM’s India business since August 2015. Kazem has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Adelaide and a master’s degree in business administration from La Trobe University.
“With Kaher’s hands on experience and direct knowledge of the business, we are pleased to appoint him to lead GM India at this important time,” said Stefan Jacoby, GM Vice President and GM International President. “GM is committed to India for the long term. Kaher’s proven track record will enable us to deliver to Indian consumers the great vehicles they want and the world class customer experience they deserve.”