Shailesh Chandra Becomes First Asian OICA President!
By Ashutosh Arora
Shailesh Chandra, CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and President of SIAM, has made history by becoming the first Asian—and the first Indian—to be elected President of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA). His appointment, effective 1 November 2025, marks a major milestone for India’s global automotive influence and highlights OICA’s evolving commitment to broader international representation. Chandra succeeds John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in the United States.
Chandra’s election reflects the growing importance of Asia in shaping the future of global mobility. Under his leadership, OICA is expected to play a stronger role in aligning international automotive policies, especially as the industry accelerates its transition toward sustainable mobility and “Net Zero” goals. In his first remarks, Chandra noted that the responsibilities of OICA have become even more crucial as countries pursue safer, greener, and more aspirational mobility solutions designed for diverse markets and regulatory environments.
With over two decades of experience at Tata Motors, Chandra has been instrumental in transforming the company’s passenger vehicle business. His leadership has pushed Tata Motors to the forefront of India’s electric mobility revolution, helping the company become a market leader in EVs. Widely recognised across the industry, he has previously been honoured as Autocar Professional’s Man of the Year 2020 and received the Automobile CEO of the Year title from TopGear. Chandra is an alumnus of IIT Varanasi and SP Jain Institute, and he completed a prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University.
OICA, founded in 1919, represents 36 national automotive associations worldwide, working to promote safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility. Chandra’s appointment comes at a time when the industry is navigating rapid technological advancements, stricter environmental regulations, and shifting consumer expectations. His leadership is expected to bring a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.
Supporting Chandra in this new chapter is Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), who has been elected as OICA’s Vice President. Her election further strengthens OICA’s leadership team as the organisation works to drive meaningful progress across the global automotive landscape.
Chandra’s presidency not only elevates India’s standing in the global automotive community but also reinforces the rise of Asian markets as influential contributors to the future of mobility.
