Hero MotoCorp Appoints Harshavardhan Chitale as New CEO
Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Harshavardhan Chitale as its new Chief Executive Officer. Chitale, currently leading the professional business at Dutch lighting company Signify, will officially take charge on 5 January 2026.
He succeeds Vikram Kasbekar, who stepped in as acting CEO following Niranjan Gupta’s resignation earlier this year. Although Kasbekar will step down from the interim CEO role, he will continue to serve as the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Focus on Future Mobility and Electrification
Hero MotoCorp Chairman Pawan Munjal said the appointment of Chitale is expected to strengthen the company’s focus on electric vehicles and emerging mobility solutions. The company, known for its popular ‘Splendor’ motorcycle, has been actively expanding its presence in the electric vehicle segment.
Chitale brings extensive leadership experience to the role. He previously guided Philips Lighting India through its transition into a standalone entity and has held senior positions at HCL Infosystems and Honeywell Automation India.
Market Response and Strategic Outlook
Following the leadership announcement, Hero MotoCorp shares remained largely unchanged in early trading. Investors appear to be waiting for further updates on the company’s strategic plans under Chitale’s leadership.
As the company prepares for this leadership transition, the industry will be watching closely to see how Hero MotoCorp positions itself in the rapidly evolving two-wheeler and electric mobility market.
with inputs from Reuters
