Vinod Sahay Appointed Executive Chairman of SML Isuzu Ltd.
SML Isuzu Ltd. has announced the appointment of Vinod Sahay as its new Executive Chairman, bringing decades of experience in the commercial vehicle and mobility sector to the company’s leadership team.
Sahay currently serves as President and Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, where he oversees the Aerospace & Defense, Trucks, Buses, and Construction Equipment verticals, with multiple CEOs directly reporting to him. His appointment at SML Isuzu Ltd. is expected to strengthen the company’s strategic direction in India’s competitive commercial vehicle market.
A Stalwart in Mobility and Defense
Within the Mahindra Group, Sahay holds several key responsibilities. He is Chairman of all Mahindra companies in the Defense and Aerospace domain and also serves as Chairman of FICCI’s Defense and Homeland Security Committee, actively contributing to India’s defense policy ecosystem. Additionally, he is a Board Member at CIE Automotive Spain, underscoring his international presence in the automotive industry.
Previously at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Sahay held the role of President & Chief Procurement Officer, managing an annual spend of over ₹45,000 crore across the Auto and Farm sectors, while also heading the Spares Business Unit. His ability to balance cost optimization with business expansion has been a hallmark of his leadership.
Proven Track Record Across Industries
Sahay’s career spans over two decades of leadership across global and Indian automotive giants. Before joining Mahindra in 2015, he spent 17 years at Tata Motors, holding critical roles in strategy, sales & marketing, product planning, and business management across its commercial vehicle portfolio.
At Mahindra, he has been entrusted with multiple leadership positions, including CEO of Mahindra Trucks and Buses Division, Mahindra Construction Equipment Division, and Mahindra Two-Wheelers Ltd. He also served as a Board Member at Peugeot Scooters in France, where he played a role in strengthening Mahindra’s European footprint.
Recognition and Global Engagement
Recognized among India’s Most Inspirational Business Leaders by White Page International, Sahay is widely respected for his vision and execution. Beyond corporate leadership, he has actively engaged with the World Economic Forum and global supply chain initiatives, contributing to thought leadership in mobility, logistics, and defense.
Strengthening SML Isuzu’s Future
SML Isuzu Ltd., a key player in India’s commercial vehicle segment, sees Sahay’s appointment as a catalyst for growth. His expertise in trucks, buses, and defense mobility solutions aligns with the company’s ambitions to expand its portfolio, strengthen customer relationships, and enhance operational efficiencies.
Industry observers believe Sahay’s wide-ranging experience, from procurement and supply chain to sales and product development, will provide SML Isuzu with the strategic direction needed in an evolving market shaped by GST reforms, electrification, and stricter emission norms.
With his new role, Vinod Sahay brings not only leadership but also a legacy of transformation across multiple automotive domains — positioning SML Isuzu to accelerate its journey of innovation and market competitiveness.