Yohan Poonawalla Receives ‘Vintage & Classic Car Vanguard Of India Legacy Excellence Award’ At VCCCI Annual Event

Yohan Poonawalla Receives ‘Vintage & Classic Car Vanguard Of India Legacy Excellence Award’ At VCCCI Annual Event

Billionaire industrialist Yohan Poonawalla was recently awarded the coveted Vintage & Classic car Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award at the Vintage and Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI) Annual Vintage Car Fiesta, held at the World Trade Centre in collaboration with the Directorate of Maharashtra Tourism and the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). With this honour, Poonawalla keeps bringing India's automotive heritage to the attention of the world and encourages future generations of collectors and enthusiasts to honour and conserve the automobile's past.

At the 2023 VCCCI Annual Vintage Car Fiesta, Poonawalla was named India's Motoring Ambassador to the World. This honour recognises his outstanding efforts to establish India on the world driving map as well as his unmatched commitment to the vintage car movement. Poonawalla's impressive collection of luxury, sports and antique cars includes some of the most recognisable automobiles in history. The centrepiece of his collection is his most recent purchase, the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Extended Wheelbase (EWB) and final Privacy Suite Phantom, which is the priciest automobile in India and among the most beautiful Rolls-Royces in the world. In addition, his collection includes vintage American muscle vehicles, Bentleys and Jaguars that have all been painstakingly restored to keep their historical significance.

In his capacity as India's Motoring Ambassador to the World, Poonawalla has continuously raised the stature of the nation's illustrious automotive heritage abroad. He has received many honours and made India proud, thanks to his participation in prestigious international events like Salon Privé, Concours of Elegance Hampton Court, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, RREC Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance, Sandringham Pageant of Motoring, Valletta Concours, Icons Mallorca, Geneva International Motor Show Qatar and the storied Mille Miglia in the United Arab Emirates. Along with representing India's automotive legacy at these esteemed events, Poonawalla has won several vehicle races and rallies and taken first place in the world's premier auto exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and other regions.

Poonawalla said, "It is a privilege to be recognised as India’s Motoring Ambassador to the World and to receive this ‘Vintage & Classic car Vanguard of India Legacy Excellence Award’. Cars are more than just machines – they are pieces of history and art that deserve to be cherished and preserved. I am committed to showcasing India’s rich automotive legacy on the global stage and am deeply grateful to VCCCI and its partners for organising such a spectacular event."

Cedric Ratinaud Becomes New Global Brand Head Of Nissan Motor Corporation

Cedric Ratinaud

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.

Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.

His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions, Japan’s Sankyu Inc. Ink Strategic MoU

TVS SCS - Sankyu

TVS Supply Chain Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan-based Sankyu Inc. to collaborate across supply chain and engineering services.

As part of the agreement, Sankyu intends to acquire a 0.5 percent equity stake in TVS Supply Chain Solutions, subject to regulatory approvals.

The partnership combines TVS Supply Chain Solutions' logistics network in India with Sankyu's engineering capabilities and corporate connections in Japan. Initial operations will focus on serving manufacturing and industrial clients in India, where over 1,400 Japanese companies operate.

Future plans include expanding joint operations into regions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and additional international markets where both firms hold established infrastructure.

To manage operations under the agreement, the companies will form a joint steering committee with representatives from both organisations to identify operational opportunities and oversee joint initiatives.

R. Dinesh, Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This partnership represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen our capabilities and create greater value for customers. Sankyu's engineering expertise and deep relationships across the Japanese industrial ecosystem complement TVS Supply Chain Solutions' integrated supply chain capabilities, strong customer relationships and market presence. We share a strong commitment to long-term value creation, and together we are well positioned to deliver more comprehensive solutions, support the evolving needs of manufacturing and industrial customers, and unlock new growth opportunities across India and other strategic markets.”

Kimihiro Nakamura, President and CEO, Sankyu Inc, said, "Since our inception in 1918, Sankyu has been dedicated to supporting the progress of the manufacturing sector, underpinned by our core philosophy of valuing our people. We are profoundly honoured to enter into this partnership with TVS SCS, an organisation that shares our philosophy and commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our two companies possess a strong strategic alignment, and by integrating and complementing our respective strengths, we look forward to achieving collective growth in the global market and contributing to sustainable industrial development."

VinFast Elevates India Head Tapan Ghosh To Oversee Operations In Indonesia

VinFast - Tapan Ghosh

Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has expanded the role of its India Chief Executive Officer, Tapan Ghosh, to oversee operations in Indonesia, uniting the company's management structure across both regional markets.

Interestingly, Ghosh becomes Chief Executive Officer for VinFast Operations across both countries, making him the first executive from India to manage multiple markets for the Vietnamese company.

Since joining the Vietnamese brand in 2025 from Hyundai Motor India, Ghosh has managed local manufacturing setups, dealership distribution expansion and product strategies. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the development of a complete knock-down (CKD) assembly operation in Indonesia.

The dual-country manufacturing and distribution setup establishes operational hubs for VinFast across South Asia and Southeast Asia, supporting its strategy to expand production beyond Vietnam.

An Cong Hui Succeeds Li Shu Fu As Chairman Of Geely, Gan Jia Yue Becomes CEO

Geely

Chinese automotive major Geely Automobile Holdings has announced changes to its board of directors and executive leadership structure, effective 18 August 2026, as part of its succession planning framework.

Li Shu Fu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director to focus on other business commitments. He has accepted an appointment as Honorary Chairman for Life, a role outside the formal corporate governance structure. Li remains a controlling shareholder of the company and confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board regarding his departure.

On the other hand, Executive Director An Cong Hui has been appointed Chairman of the Board. The board cited An's operational experience within the group and strategic alignment with the controlling shareholder entity as factors supporting the appointment. Independent non-executive directors will continue to oversee potential conflict management protocols under Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing rules.

Further board adjustments include the resignation of Li Dong Hui, Daniel, from the role of Vice-Chairman. He retains his seat as an Executive Director. Gui Sheng Yue has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.

Following Gui's transition, Executive Director Gan Jia Yue has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Gan assumes responsibility for managing the group's operational activities and executing long-term business objectives.