Rolls-Royce appoints new business head for India

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have appointed Herfried Hasenoehrl to the newly created role of Head of Business Development for India. Mr Hasenoehrl will also look after the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh markets. Rolls-Royce terms the new appointment important as it ‘signals Rolls-Royce’s commitment to a region that has played an intrinsic role in its rich heritage’. The appointment comes at a time when the company is undertaking the launch of Ghost Extended Wheelbase and expanding the Manufacturing Plant at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has enjoyed significant recent success in the region with the pinnacle Phantom and dynamic Ghost models, in particular being embraced by the young business elite. In addition to developing business opportunities Hasenoehrl will support the outstanding work of existing dealers, Navnit Motors in Mumbai and Select Cars in New Delhi.

Paul Harris, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Director for Asia Pacific said: “Our return to India in 2005 was more akin to a homecoming than a traditional brand re-launch. History was revived, with echoes of the grand Maharaja’s Rolls-Royces of the past given a new life. This appointment is a testament to the growing importance of a market with a very special relationship with the brand.”

Herfried Hasenoehrl said: “I am relishing the prospect of contributing to the latest chapter of Rolls-Royce’s extraordinary story in India. I am convinced we can build on the momentum we are already enjoying in what has rapidly become a vital market in the Asia-Pacific region. I am certain that the Indian love affair with this very special marque will continue for many years.”

Hasenoehrl has already enjoyed a highly successful career with BMW Group, the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Here he gained valuable exposure to emerging markets, playing a key role in the development and implementation of BMW’s international manufacturing and sales network strategy across Asia, including the set up of sales entities across the region.

Following this Hasenoehrl took a wide ranging brief as Senior Manager for Brand, Product and Price Management in Thailand and Munich, where he gained invaluable experience of the Asia markets. Spearheading market entry preparations and successfully leading the product launch of the BMW X-series in three continents.