Volkswagen shifts India head John Chacko, appoints Gerasimos Dorizas

German car maker Volkswagen on Saturday announced that the company has moved its India head John Chacko, to the headquarter of Audi, the luxury car brand of the Volkswagen group. In a top-level management rejig at its Indian business, the company announced the appointment of Gerasimos Dorizas as the Chief Representative of of Volkswagen Group in the country.

Also, the company appointed Mahesh Kodumudi as the President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd.

"Gerasimos Dorizas (52), Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt Ltd, has been appointed Chief Representative of the Volkswagen Group in India with effect from March 1," the company said in a statement.

Dorizas had joined the Volkswagen Group Sales India as Managing Director in 2012.

The company further said: "John Chacko (60), previously President, Managing Director and Group Chief Representative of Volkswagen India, is transferring to a responsible position with Audi AG with effect from April 1."

Chacko has been leading the European car maker's Indian operations since 2010.

Besides, Volkswagen said: "Effective March 1, Mahesh Kodumudi (47) has been appointed President and Managing Director of Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd."

In 2012, the Volkswagen group witnessed a total sales of 1,14,045 units comprising five brands -- Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini and Porsche. It had registered a sales of 1,11,637 units in 2011.

Kodumudi has assumed the responsibility for Volkswagen's Indian production company at Pune. He had joined the group in 2008 and was appointed Executive Director, Purchasing of Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd, the statement said.

Chacko had joined the Volkswagen Group in 1979. He has held various management positions at Volkswagen, Audi and Seat before becoming Technical Project Manager for India with Volkswagen in Wolfsburg in 2006. In 2008, he became Technical Managing Director of Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd.

On the other hand, Dorizas had joined the Volkswagen Group in 2007 as Executive Vice President for sales and marketing of the Japanese operations. In 2008, he was appointed as the President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Japan, before joining Volkswagen Group Sales India as Managing Director in 2012.

With PTI inputs