Change of personnel at Volkswagen India as sales head Gerry Dorizas steps down
Gerasimos (Gerry) Dorizas has stepped down as the president and MD of Volkswagen Group Sales India citing personal grounds. Volkswagen Group India has confirmed that Dorizas will be returning to Europe and has handed over charge to Mahesh Kodumudi, president and MD of Volkswagen India,with immediate effect.
Kodumudi, who will take over additional responsibility as the head of Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited, completed his engineering and management degrees in India and USA. Following a successful career in the Automotive Industry in the US, Kodumudi joined the Volkswagen Group in 2008 and was appointed executive director â€" corporate purchasing for the Volkswagen Group in India. On March 1, 2013, he was appointed as president and managing director of Volkswagen India Private Limited.
Dorizas took over from Maik Stephan as the MD of Volkswagen Group Sales in 2012. He was further given an additional responsibility as chief representative of Volkswagen India overseeing the manufacturing activities on April, 2013. During his stint, Volkswagen Group India Sales posted growth in profits and a turnover of over $1.2-billion in FY13.
Under Dorizas, VW's premium brands such as Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini prospered, however the company struggled to replicate similar market success with its mass market brands such as Volkswagen and Skoda.