New Delhi: Royal Enfield, a key player in the motorcycle industry, has brought on board Mario Alvisi as Chief Growth Officer to lead its Electric Vehicle (EV) division. This strategic move comes as the company establishes a senior leadership team dedicated to spearheading its foray into the electric vehicle market.
Building a Strong EV Leadership Team
As part of its commitment to the EV sector, Royal Enfield has set up a specialized EV unit and has been actively recruiting key personnel to shape its future direction. This latest appointment follows the hiring of Umesh Krishnappa as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who is tasked with developing a dedicated electric vehicle portfolio for the company.
Alvisi’s Role and Responsibilities
In his new role, Mario Alvisi will oversee various aspects of the EV business, including branding, go-to-market strategies, and product development. He will report directly to the CEO, B Govindarajan. Siddhartha Lal, MD of Eicher Motors, stated that Alvisi’s extensive experience makes him well-suited to drive the commercial side of Royal Enfield’s EV business, which represents a new avenue of growth for the company.
Collaboration and Differentiation
Alvisi will closely collaborate with Mark Wells, the Chief of Design at Royal Enfield, to ensure clear differentiation between the electric and petrol engine portfolios. This collaborative effort aims to create a distinctive identity for Royal Enfield’s EV offerings.
Alvisi’s Background and Expertise
With a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, including tenure at renowned brands like Ducati, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo, Mario Alvisi brings a seasoned perspective to the table. Prior to joining Royal Enfield, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at E-foil company MHL customs. Alvisi officially assumed his new role in July and will be based in Chennai, India.
Strategic Investments in the EV Space
Sources suggest that Royal Enfield is poised to invest upwards of Rs 1,500 crore in its EV venture. The company has also acquired additional land in Cheyyar, indicating its commitment to establishing a robust manufacturing footprint for its EV endeavors. While exact investment figures remain undisclosed, B Govindarajan revealed that Eicher Motors has applied for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which is expected to involve an investment of Rs 2,000 crore encompassing both Royal Enfield and the commercial vehicle business.
Royal Enfield’s inaugural EV model is slated for a 2025 release. The company has already begun testing prototypes of its EVs, emphasizing their unique differentiators in terms of design and performance.