Royal Enfield Appoints A New CEO

Vinod K. Dasari, former managing director of Ashok Leyland, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Chennai-based company

• Dasari will take over from Siddhartha Lal.
• Lal will continue to be the managing director of Eicher Motors Ltd.
• Dasari will also join the Board of Eicher Motors as an executive director.

Royal Enfield has sworn-in Vinod K. Dasari as its new CEO with immediate effect. Dasari will take over responsibilities from Siddhartha Lal, who will continue to serve as the managing director of Eicher Motors. Dasari has also joined the board of Eicher Motors as an executive director.

Before Royal Enfield, Dasari served as the CEO and Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, a position he has held since 2011. 

He will also take over the role and responsibilities of Rudratej Singh, former president of Royal Enfield. While on the surface the move may not mean much to everyday buyers, it’ll be interesting to see how things pan out behind the scenes. 

Press Release - 

Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors Ltd. said, “After a phenomenal success story in the last decade, Royal Enfield is now building the foundations of its next level of growth. As we commence another exciting chapter, I believe, there is no better person than Vinod Dasari to lead Royal Enfield into its next phase of evolution to a global brand. Vinod is a proven leader who combines business vision and people skills. He has been a catalyst in reviving the fortunes of his previous company and re-shaping the dynamics of a hitherto slow moving industry.”

“Vinod’s fearless entrepreneurial leadership, experience of managing complex businesses globally, deep understanding of customers and his vision of how digital technology will be used and experienced around the world are precisely the qualities that Royal Enfield needs as it aspires to lead and catalyse the global motorcycling industry towards middle weights (250-750cc)”, Siddhartha added. 

Prior to joining Royal Enfield, Vinod Dasari was the CEO & Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, a position he held since 2011. He joined Ashok Leyland as the Chief Operating Officer in 2005. Vinod Dasari has held several leadership positions at Cummins India Limited and Timken Company where he went on to become the President of its Global Railroad business in the USA. He started his career with General Electric in 1986. 

Speaking about his new role, Mr Vinod Dasari, CEO, Royal Enfield said, “Royal Enfield is an inspiring story and I am very excited to be part of such a fantastic brand. Personally for me, working with a consumer brand will be a tremendous learning opportunity, and professionally, I am looking forward to the challenge of creating a global consumer brand from India.”

Mr. Vinod Dasari has also served as the President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2015 to 2017 and as President of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), from 2013 to 2015. He was conferred “CEO of the Year” by Business Today and most recently by Business Standard. He has also been honoured as the “CV Man of the Year” by the CV Magazine and has won the “Autocar Professional of the Year”.

Mr. Vinod Dasari holds a Masters degree in Engineering Management from the McCormick School of Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), from the Kellogg School of Management. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from University of Louisville in 1988