Shailesh Chandra Becomes First OICA President from India

OICA announces the election of Shailesh Chandra, President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), as its new President, effective November 1, 2025, succeeding John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (USA).

Shailesh Chandra said “It is an honour to become the first OICA President from India, which is highlighting the organization’s global representation. As the global automotive industry transitions towards sustainable mobility and pursuits ‘Net Zero’, in alignment with the visions of Governments worldwide, the role of OICA becomes increasingly critical — to acknowledge the diversity of every region, as we collectively strive to make our vehicles more aspirational, safer, and environmentally friendly.”

Shailesh Chandra is the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, and also the Managing Director for the EV arm, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from IIT Varanasi, with an Executive-MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University, Chandra has over two decades of automotive experience in Tata Motors including key leadership roles in corporate strategy & electric mobility. His tenure is defined by the turnaround and transformation of Tata Motors’ PV business, and his pioneering vision that has propelled the EV business to the forefront of India’s electric mobility movement. He has been honoured as Man of the Year 2020 (Autocar Professional) and Automobile CEO of the Year (TopGear).

OICA has elected Hildegard Müller, President of the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), as its Vice President, recognizing her strong leadership within Europe’s automotive sector and her extensive experience in industry, government, and energy. Graduate from Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Department of Business, she is a former Minister of State to the German Chancellor and ex-chairwoman of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). Müller has led the VDA since 2020, steering the German automotive industry through the challenges of electrification, global competition, and trade transitions.

The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), founded in 1919, is the worldwide federation representing the national associations of motor vehicle manufacturers. OICA’s 36 member associations from all continents speak for the global automotive industry on issues of mobility, environment, safety, and economy. It plays a key role in promoting harmonized technical regulations through its active participation in the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE WP.29). OICA also coordinates global automotive production and sales statistics, ensuring reliable data. Additionally, OICA supports the organization of international motor shows, recognizing their contribution to innovation and public engagement. Through its work, OICA fosters global cooperation among manufacturers and governments to advance safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility while defending the legitimate interests of the automotive industry worldwide.