Vikraman V and Sandeep Bhambra Take Charge of Renault’s R&D and Design in India!

Renault Group has announced two significant leadership appointments that highlight its commitment to making India a hub for engineering and design innovation. Vikraman V has been named Chief of Renault Engineering at Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (RNTBCI) in Chennai, while Sandeep Bhambra has been appointed Head of Renault Design Centre India. Together, they will play pivotal roles in strengthening Renault’s research, development, and design capabilities, both for the Indian market and globally.

Vikraman V brings with him nearly two decades of experience from Mahindra & Mahindra, where he held multiple senior leadership positions. At RNTBCI, he will focus on driving engineering excellence, advancing Renault’s R&D efforts, and building India’s role in the company’s global transformation journey. His expertise is expected to reinforce Renault’s ability to accelerate innovation and deliver cutting-edge technologies that align with the company’s strategy for sustainable mobility.

Sandeep Bhambra, meanwhile, will lead Renault Design Centre India while continuing in his existing role as Chief Designer Advanced Renault. In his new capacity, he will report directly to Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer of Renault Group. Bhambra will be responsible for shaping Renault’s future vehicle portfolios, blending the company’s strong design DNA with forward-looking concepts tailored for both global and Indian consumers. His vision is expected to bring fresh design perspectives that resonate with the evolving needs of the automotive market, from electrification to connected technologies.

Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, welcomed the appointments, noting their importance in Renault’s growth strategy. “The appointments of Sandeep Bhambra and Vikraman V mark a transformative moment in Renault Group’s journey in India. India is rapidly emerging as a global epicentre for automotive innovation, and these leaders bring the vision and expertise to harness that momentum,” he said.

The leadership restructuring underscores Renault’s recognition of India’s growing importance in the global automotive value chain. With its pool of engineering talent, expanding supplier ecosystem, and growing role in design and digital innovation, India offers Renault an opportunity to scale product development while maintaining cost competitiveness. These appointments also reflect the company’s focus on strengthening its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-evolving automotive markets.

By combining engineering strength with design innovation, Renault aims to accelerate the creation of vehicles that meet both global standards and local consumer expectations. The company has already been leveraging India for advanced R&D and digital capabilities, and these new leadership positions are expected to deepen its involvement. The goal is not only to contribute to Renault’s global product pipeline but also to ensure that India plays a central role in shaping the company’s transition to sustainable, intelligent mobility.

The appointments of Vikraman V and Sandeep Bhambra represent more than a change in leadership; they symbolize Renault’s intent to elevate India as a critical driver of its global innovation strategy. With a sharper focus on engineering excellence and design leadership, Renault Group is positioning itself to tap into India’s potential as a global innovation hub while creating vehicles that align with the future of mobility.