Hero MotoCorp appoints Harshavardhan Chitale as CEO from 2026

Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, has named Harshavardhan Chitale as its next chief executive, effective 5 January 2026.

Chitale joins from Dutch lighting group Signify, where he leads the professional business. He succeeds Vikram Kasbekar, who stepped in as acting CEO after the resignation of Niranjan Gupta earlier this year. Kasbekar will return full-time to his position as chief technology officer, the company said on Monday.

Chairman Pawan Munjal described the appointment as a step designed to quicken the group’s shift towards electric vehicles and new mobility platforms. Hero, best known for its Splendor commuter motorcycle, has faced growing pressure from rivals in the electric scooter segment and has been investing heavily in its Vida brand of EVs.

Chitale’s career has spanned both technology and industrial leadership. He steered Philips Lighting India through its transition into a standalone company and earlier held senior roles at HCL Infosystems and Honeywell Automation India. Industry watchers noted that his mix of operational and technology experience could help Hero bridge its legacy strength in petrol-powered motorcycles with the demands of a fast-changing mobility landscape.

The timing of his appointment is significant. Two-wheeler demand in India is showing signs of recovery after years of sluggish growth, but the competitive landscape has tilted sharply. Ola Electric and TVS Motor are gaining ground in the EV market, forcing Hero to sharpen its own strategy. Analysts say investors will want to see whether Chitale can accelerate product launches, build partnerships and expand Hero’s international footprint.

The stock market gave a neutral verdict on Monday, with Hero MotoCorp shares trading flat after the announcement. Analysts told the Economic Times that the continuity provided by Kasbekar’s return to technology leadership offers stability, but the test for Chitale will be to deliver clear direction and results in the electric segment.

For Hero MotoCorp, the appointment draws a line under a period of leadership flux and signals a renewed push to define its role in the next phase of India’s mobility market. Chitale’s challenge will be to preserve the company’s dominance in conventional motorcycles while ensuring it does not fall behind in the industry’s shift towards electrification.