Maruti Suzuki India’s marketing and sales head Mayank Pareek has quit the company after nearly 20 years of service at the country’s largest carmaker.
While Pareek, who is designated Chief Operating Officer (marketing and sales), could not be reached for comments, however, according to people familiar with the development, he has put in papers to pursue ‘better opportunities’.
The company spokesperson declined to comment.
It is speculated that he may join homegrown auto major Tata Motors, which has been seeking a revival in fortunes in the passenger cars segment.
Besides the company chairman RC Bhargava, Pareek is the other Indian face of the company in which Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation holds majority stake.
His sudden departure comes at a time when Maruti is gearing up to launch its premium sedan Ciaz next month. The company has been struggling to make its presence felt in the bigger car segment.
Pareek had successfully continued the rural drive of the company initiated by former managing director Jagdish Khattar.
He has been credited for keeping the company’s sales counter ticking and increasing market share even when the Indian automobile market went on a slump in the last two years.
Maruti shares were marginally down at 2,937.75 on the NSE at 11.30 am.