Sumantran steps down from Ashok Leyland, will continue as advisor

Suitable juncture for me to look to pursuing other interests, including writing a book, he said

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V Sumantran has stepped down as non-executive vice chairman of Hinduja Automotive Ltd, the holding group company of Ashok Leyland. The company said he would continue as adviser to the Hinduja Group, while pursuing his interests in academia, research and consulting.

Speaking to Business Standard, he said as non-executive vice chairman he was doing day-to-day work and getting Ashok Leyland into the LCV business was his major objective. Now, with the launch of Partner and MiTR, it has seen completion of the first phase of Ashok Leyland's cooperation with Nissan.

“I am not disconnecting from the group, will continue as adviser while pursuing other interests, including some work with academia, research and consulting and also planning to write a book,” he said.

Sumantran has been one of the faces of Ashok Leyland and he had overseen Ashok Leyland Light Commercial Vehicle business (LCV) of Ashok Leyland, through their Joint Venture with Japanese auto major Nissan. The company has launched a new range of products including the successful Dost, Stile and recently Partner LCV truck and MiTR LCV Bus.

He was the Vice Chairman of Ashok Leyland, Executive Vice Chairman, Hinduja Automotive Limited and Executive Vice Chairman of Hinduja Automotive Limited and Chairman of Defiance Technologies Limited and Ashok Leyland Defence Systems Limited as well as Ashok Leyland's Joint Ventures with Nissan and John Deere.

Sumantran also serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet and served on the Science Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India.

Previously he served as the Chief Executive of Tata Motors' Car Business. Prior to that, Sumantran had spent 16 years with General Motors Corporation, mostly in the US and subsequently in Europe.

Ashok Leyland’s board also gave its nod to appoint Vinod K Dasari as managing director of the company for three years with effect from April 1, 2014.