Power generation company JSW Energy Ltd said it has appointed auto industry veteran Sergio Luiz Pegoraro Rocha of Brazil to head its upcoming electric vehicle unit.
In his previous stint, he was President, CEO and Chairman of GM Korea (General Motors, Korea), Uzbekistan and Vietnam operations based out of Seoul, South Korea.
The power company had announced its plans to enter the electric vehicle business earlier this year. It expects to launch its first EV in 2020.
Rocha is a senior ‘auto industry leader’ and has worked with international companies like Volkswagen and General Motors, JSW Energy said.
“He has been instrumental in setting up green field plants, acquisitions, brand launch and major transformations during his long career in the auto industry.
“Native of Sao Paulo Brazil, Sergio started his career with Volkswagen, he has successfully worked across all organization levels from C-Suite to Plant Floor and with Labour Unions,” it said.
Rocha has led business across different continents and managed enterprises of up to $17 Bn in revenue, it added.
JSW Energy is an integrated power company that generates most of its energy from coal-powered plants. It operated 4,531 MW of power generation facilities as of FY17.
Electric vehicles are seen as a ‘hot’ area due to the emphasis placed by the central government in transitioning India’s massive auto industry from petroleum-based fuels to electric power. India has a target of stopping the sale of petro-vehicles by 2030.