Skoda India's Managing Director - Sudhir Rao quits

Sudhir Rao, Skoda Auto India's Managing Director has quit from his position with the Czech automaker. He is likely to be replaced by another Indian executive. However, Rao will continue to serve his term till June 30, 2017.

Sudhir Rao's resignation comes over five years and three months after he first joined the carmaker. He was made the MD of Skoda Auto in 2012. The MD position at Skoda India was vacant from 2008-12. Rao was known for taking tough decisions in order to make Skoda's Indian arm profitable. He is said to be the man behind the company's decision to discontinue the Fabia hatchback, which resulted in drop in sales volumes, but also reduced operating losses of the carmaker. Under his leadership, Skoda trimmed its workforce by over 25% in order to achieve a leaner organization structure.

Prior to his term with Skoda, Rao had served as Deputy MD and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Renault India, where he is considered to have played a key role in Renault's separation from the Mahindra joint venture. He has also worked with General Motors and Avtec Engines, which is a CK Birla Group company.

No reasons were mentioned behind Rao's exit from Skoda Auto India. However, he indicated that he will now be looking for new opportunities outside the automobile industry.

Source: ET Auto