Kaher Kazem to head GM India unit starting January

Kazem will replace Arvind Saxema, who is retiring at the end of this year

General Motors Co said on Monday that Kaher Kazem will become head of its India unit effective January 1 after the current chief, Arvind Saxena, retires as general manager at year-end.

Kazem, a 46-year-old Australian executive who became GM India's chief operating officer in August this year, is highly regarded within the company for leading GM's Uzbekistan operations from 2012, company sources have said. He has been with GM since 1995.

His appointment comes as the automaker struggles to boost sales in the world's fifth largest auto market thanks to a lack of competitive products. GM announced in July that it would invest $1 billion over the next few years to turn India into a global export hub and boost sales of its Chevrolet brand.

By 2020, analysts expect India to become the world's third-largest passenger vehicle market after China and the United States.

"GM is committed to India for the long term. Kaher's proven track record will enable us to deliver," Stefan Jacoby, chief of GM International whose operations include those in India, said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear why the 55-year-old Saxena, who had previously worked at Volkswagen AG and Hyundai Motor Co in India, decided to retire from GM after only two years on the job.