The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the global federation of automobile manufacturers, has elected Mr. Shailesh Chandra as its new President, effective November 1, 2025.
Mr. Chandra, who currently serves as President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Managing Director & CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, becomes the first-ever Indian to lead the 106-year-old global automotive body. He succeeds John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (USA).
Reacting to his appointment, Mr. Chandra said, “It is an honour to become the first OICA President from India. As the global automotive industry transitions towards sustainable mobility and pursues net-zero ambitions, the role of OICA becomes even more critical — to acknowledge the diversity of every region, as we collectively strive to make our vehicles more aspirational, safer, and environmentally friendly.”
A mechanical engineering graduate from IIT Varanasi, and an Executive MBA from SPJIMR with a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University, Chandra has spent over two decades at Tata Motors in key roles spanning corporate strategy and electric mobility. He is widely credited with transforming Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle business and propelling the company to leadership in India’s EV market
Alongside Chandra’s appointment, OICA has elected Hildegard Müller, President of Germany’s VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie), as Vice President. Müller — former Minister of State to the German Chancellor and ex-chairwoman of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries — has been leading VDA since 2020, steering the German auto industry through the shift to electrification and a more competitive global landscape.
Founded in 1919, OICA represents 36 national automotive associations across all continents and works closely with governments and global bodies to shape mobility policy. It plays a key role in promoting harmonised vehicle regulations through the United Nations World Forum (UNECE WP.29), publishes global production and sales statistics, and supports international motor shows.
Mr. Chandra’s election signals India’s growing influence in the global automotive ecosystem — particularly in electric mobility — at a time when the industry is undergoing its biggest transformation in a century.
