Hero MotoCorp Shakes Up EV Game: Ex-Mahindra COO Kausalya Nandakumar Joins as CBO of Emerging Mobility Business!
In a bold leadership move, Hero MotoCorp has appointed Kausalya Nandakumar, a senior automotive and EV strategist, as the new Chief Business Officer (CBO) of its Emerging Mobility Business Unit, which includes its electric sub-brand Vida. The appointment is effective immediately.
This transition comes as Hero MotoCorp doubles down on its electric vehicle ambitions, expanding the Vida EV lineup and charging infrastructure across India. Nandakumar’s appointment is being seen as a key strategic play to accelerate Hero’s presence in the fast-growing EV two-wheeler market.
Who is Kausalya Nandakumar?
- Former COO of Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., where she led a $9.8 billion electric SUV program
- Played a pivotal role in Mahindra’s Farm Division transformation and co-created the Krish-e platform
- Ex-CEO of SmartShift – Mahindra's digital logistics startup
- Specialist in EV strategy, digital innovation, business transformation, and go-to-market scaling
With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Nandakumar brings a rare blend of EV domain expertise and execution acumen to Hero’s top table.
Leadership Transition: Swadesh Srivastava Steps Down
Nandakumar replaces Swadesh Srivastava, who stepped down from the role citing health reasons. The transition will be managed collaboratively in the coming weeks to ensure strategic continuity.
“We thank Swadesh for his contributions and welcome Kausalya. Her appointment reinforces Hero MotoCorp's ambition to lead the next era of mobility,” the company said in a statement.
What’s Next for Hero’s Emerging Mobility Unit?
As CBO of Emerging Mobility, Nandakumar will:
- Report directly to Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp
- Spearhead growth and transformation for the Vida EV brand
- Lead innovation in charging infrastructure and digital mobility services
- Shape future affordable EV product rollouts aimed at young, urban India
With EV adoption in India accelerating, Hero MotoCorp’s focus on the Vida brand, backed by infrastructure investments and new models, signals its intent to go head-to-head with rivals like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, TVS iQube, and Bajaj Chetak.
Why This Move Matters
India’s EV two-wheeler market is projected to cross 10 million units by 2030, with leadership dependent not just on product, but visionary leadership and execution. Hero’s bet on a seasoned EV strategist like Nandakumar reflects its commitment to:
- Deep localisation
- Battery ecosystem development
- Sustainable and scalable EV rollout
- Tier 2 & Tier 3 city expansion
EVINDIA Takeaway
This appointment is more than a title—it’s a clear signal that Hero MotoCorp is recalibrating its electric playbook. With the right leadership, a robust ICE legacy, and EV tailwinds rising, Hero could rapidly transform Vida into one of the most formidable e-mobility platforms in India.
Stay tuned as we track Hero MotoCorp’s EV journey, new launches, and infra updates right here on EVINDIA.