SIAM names Ashok Leyland’s Shenu Agarwal president for 2026-27
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has appointed Ashok Leyland MD and CEO Shenu Agarwal as president for 2026-27. TVS Motor’s KN Radhakrishnan will serve as vice president, while Mercedes-Benz India’s Santosh Iyer takes charge as treasurer.
What happened
SIAM appointed Ashok Leyland MD and CEO Shenu Agarwal as president for 2026-27. TVS Motor’s KN Radhakrishnan becomes vice president and Mercedes-Benz India’s
Key facts
- 2026-27
Why this matters
The cross-segment SIAM leadership team could create more opportunities for OEMs and suppliers to align on shared technology, localization and standards partnerships rather than pursue isolated market initiatives.
What to watch
- SIAM proposal for GST reduction or rate harmonization across vehicles, batteries and charging equipment.
- Expansion or redesign of the national vehicle-scrappage framework and fleet replacement incentives.
- New mandates or incentives for electric buses, electric two-wheelers, LNG/CNG trucks, hydrogen vehicles or alternative-fuel infrastructure.
- Announcements on domestic battery-cell, semiconductor, power-electronics or auto-component localization.
- Monthly commercial-vehicle wholesales, retail registrations, fleet finance delinquencies and freight-rate trends.
- Track SIAM’s first policy submissions under the new leadership, especially asks on GST, vehicle scrappage, emissions rules and EV incentives.
- Monitor Ashok Leyland, TVS Motor and Mercedes-Benz India commentary for common positions on localization, charging, alternative fuels and consumer affordability.
- Watch Union and state budget measures affecting commercial-vehicle replacement, fleet electrification, financing costs and automotive manufacturing incentives.
- Assess dealer and aftermarket exposure to a potential pickup in medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle replacement demand.