Audi has a new India head who will lead it in the ‘era of electric vehicles’

• Audi India has announced a major management rejig.
• Audi India’s current head Rahil Ansari is joining the global headquarters as Senior Director, Central Sales Controlling (Global).
• Balbir Singh Dhillon is the new Audi India head.

Audi India has announced that its current India Head Rahil Ansari will be moving to the global headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. He will take over as the Senior Director for Central Sales Controlling (Global).

Balbir Singh Dhillon, who is currently the head of Dealer Development in Audi, will take on the role of India Head by September 2019.

“Rahil’s strong business acumen has been highly acknowledged in the headquarters, which is why he has been offered such a senior position,” said Michael Frisch, Vice President Region Overseas AUDI AG. Ansari has been with Audi since February 2017.


Meanwhile, Dhillon is currently enjoying his second stint at Audi India. He was earlier the head of Sales Field Force between 2007-2012, and rejoined the company in 2018.

Dhillon will be taking over during tough times. The Indian auto industry is witnessing a massive sales slowdown and Audi India is not immune to the trend. In 2018, the company reported an 18% decline in sales, as its largest dealership in Delhi-NCR was shut down.

However, the company is now counting on India’s Electric Vehicle push to regain ground. Audi India confirmed that its e-tron SUV will soon be launched in India, and is expecting to sell over 200 units.

“My singular focus will be on taking Audi ahead in a sustainable and profitable manner with delight for all our stakeholders in addition to customers. I look forward to build on that foundation as we move towards an era of electrification and digitalisation in India,” said Dhillon in a statement.