Vipin Sondhi is new CEO&MD of Ashok Leyland

Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland on Thursday announced the appointment of Vipin Sondhi as its new chief executive officer and managing director for a period of five years.

Sondhi succeeds Vinodh K Dasari who had quit from the services of city-based commercial vehicle manufacturer in November 2018.

In a BSE notification on Thursday, Ashok Leyland said, the board of directors has appointed Vipin Sondhi as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the company for a period of five years from December 12, 2019 to December 11, 2024 subject to the approval of shareholders.

As Dasari's term ended in March 2019, Ashok Leyland Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja was holding additional charge till the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Sondhi in his over three decades of experience in manufacturing and engineering sectors has led various large companies.

Prior to taking up the new responsibility, Sondhi was the Managing Director and CEO of JCB India and was also a member of the JCB Global Executive team.

Before joining JCB, he had led Tecumseh India as the Managing Director for over 12 years.

Sondhi had also worked with Tata Steel and Shriram Honda.

A recipient of several awards including The CII Grand Innovation Leadership Award in 2016, Sondhi is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Commenting on his appointment, Hinduja said, "Vipin has a strong proven track record as a leader and is a passionate and hands-on professional.

His known ability to drive performance working seamlessly with all key stakeholders will be valuable at Ashok Leyland".

"I am confident that the company will reach new frontiers under his stewardship and look forward to some very exciting times in 2020 and beyond," Hinduja said.

On joining Ashok Leyland, Sondhi said, "I am honoured and feel privileged to be part of Ashok Leyland, an institution with a rich 70-year legacy of pioneering technology leadership".

"Perhaps the only pure-play Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer, its ability to indigenously develop new products including electric buses has always helped the company stay ahead of the curve.

I look forward to work closely with all stakeholders and employees..", he said.