Mumbai: Markus Braunsperger has departed Hero MotoCorp after completing his 5-year contract as the chief technology officer (CTO), the company said. Following this, Hero MotoCorp restructured its leadership team with Vikram Kasbekar, who is currently executive director, operations (plants), taking over as the interim CTO.
Kasbekar, who has in his previous roles overlooked the new product development in the company, will be responsible for Hero MotoCorp’s Center of Innovation & Technology (CIT) in Jaipur and the Hero Tech Center in Germany. Kasbekar, who has served the company for over 15 years, brings rich experience in critical domains such as manufacturing and supply chain.
The country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer has also created a new business vertical, emerging mobility business unit, to be headed by Rajat Bhargava. He was heading corporate strategy and performance transformation besides overlooking global business. The company said the new business unit will lead in new product development around electric vehicles.
Kasbekar and Bhargava will report directly to Hero MotoCorp chairman Pawan Munjal.
Braunsperger, who will move back to Europe, is credited with several milestones that include setting up Hero MotoCorp’s R&D facility in Jaipur and Germany, and new product development. According to the company, about 40 new products and their variants were launched under Braunsperger’s leadership, including the company’s foray into the premium motorcycle and scooter segments.
