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Kia India appoints Atul Sood as its new Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, marking a strategic move as the automaker strengthens its leadership team amid growing competition in the Indian market. Effective July 11, 2025, Sood will report directly to Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer at Kia India, and will oversee the company’s nationwide sales strategy and marketing operations.
The appointment is a significant one for Kia India, which has established itself as a strong player in the mass-premium automotive segment since entering the Indian market in 2019. Sood’s addition to the leadership roster is seen as a critical step in boosting both the company’s domestic performance and dealer network expansion.
Deep Automotive Experience
With nearly 30 years of experience in the automobile sector, Atul Sood brings a wealth of strategic and operational expertise. He most recently served as President and Director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India (TMSS), where he led major initiatives in mobility services and dealer development.
Before TMSS, he held senior leadership roles at Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific. Sood holds a PGDM in Marketing from SCMHRD Pune and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology.
His extensive background in pan-India sales, customer experience, and strategic planning makes him well-positioned to guide Kia India through its next growth chapter.
Kia’s Growth Strategy in India
Kia India has seen remarkable success in a short span, with models like the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens resonating strongly with Indian customers. The brand has sold over 1.2 million vehicles domestically and exported over 3.6 lakh units. With a growing portfolio that now includes EVs like the EV6 and EV9, Kia continues to evolve in line with its global “Movement that Inspires” vision.
The company has also achieved a milestone with over 4.5 lakh connected vehicles on Indian roads, positioning itself as a technology-forward brand. Kia’s retail network now spans 744 touchpoints across 329 cities in India.
Leadership Comments
Commenting on the appointment, Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Atul Sood to Kia India. His deep automotive expertise and strategic thinking will be instrumental as we continue to evolve in a dynamic market. We are confident that his leadership will help drive our next phase of growth.”
Atul Sood added:
“I am excited to be part of Kia India’s journey at such a pivotal time. The brand’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and product excellence aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”
Looking Ahead
As Kia India appoints Atul Sood, industry watchers see this as a timely move to deepen the brand’s market presence and prepare for the next wave of EV and connected mobility solutions in India. Sood’s experience will likely play a key role in not only scaling operations but also enhancing the brand’s engagement with Indian consumers.
