Castrol India Limited has announced a significant leadership transition, with current Managing Director Kedar Lele set to resign and Saugata Basuray appointed as the Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Key Leadership Changes

According to a regulatory filing by the company, Kedar Lele will step down from his role as Managing Director effective December 31, 2025, to pursue other opportunities outside the company. To ensure a smooth transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Saugata Basuray as the Interim CEO, starting January 1, 2026, until a new Managing Director is appointed.

Saugata Basuray's New Role

Saugata Basuray, currently serving as the Wholetime Director & Head of B2C Sales, will take on the additional responsibility of Interim CEO. His designation will be changed to 'Wholetime Director & Interim CEO' from January 1, 2026. This appointment underscores the company's commitment to maintaining leadership continuity during this transition period.

Saugata Basuray's Experience

Basuray brings a wealth of experience to his new role:

• Over 25 years with Castrol India Limited
• Joined as a Management Trainee in 1999
• Diverse international experience across four countries and two continents
• Key positions held:
  • Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of CIL and Regional Vice President bp
  • Part of the UK marketing team for Castrol Edge
  • Head of Marketing for Castrol India
  • Managing Director of Castrol's joint venture in Indonesia
• Currently heads the B2C business segment at CIL

Under Basuray's leadership in the B2C segment, Castrol India has undergone a significant transformation in its go-to-market strategy and expanded its distribution network into rural India.

Educational Background

• MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM)
• Engineering degree from the University of Pune

This leadership change comes at a crucial time for Castrol India as the company continues to navigate the competitive lubricants market. The appointment of an experienced insider like Saugata Basuray as Interim CEO suggests a focus on maintaining strategic continuity while the search for a new Managing Director is underway.

Investors and industry observers will be keenly watching how this transition unfolds and its potential impact on Castrol India's market position and future strategies.

VinFast India, a rising player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, has taken a significant step to enhance its after-sales service network by partnering with Castrol India Limited , a premium lubricant manufacturer. This strategic move aims to bolster VinFast's service capabilities for electric vehicles, leveraging Castrol India's extensive expertise and network.

Partnership Details

The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see Castrol India making selected Castrol Auto Service (CAS) workshops available to VinFast customers. These workshops, part of Castrol's network spanning over 300 cities, will feature:

• Dedicated VinFast-branded service bays
• Certified EV technicians
• Genuine VinFast parts

VinFast will contribute by providing service manuals, diagnostic tools, training, and warranty coverage processes. In turn, Castrol will ensure that the workshops meet the required infrastructure and capability standards.

Expanding Reach and Enhancing Customer Confidence

This partnership is set to offer VinFast customers access to Castrol's well-established expertise, advanced service protocols, and digitally integrated workshop ecosystem. The collaboration aims to guarantee:

• Consistent quality
• Transparency
• Convenience at every service touchpoint

Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to India, stating, "For VinFast, India represents not just a new market but a long-term commitment to building an inclusive EV ecosystem. Reliable after-sales care is central to this vision."

Castrol's Role in EV Service Network

Mr. Rajeev Govil, Senior Vice President, India B2B, Castrol India, highlighted the critical role of after-sales service in building customer confidence as electric mobility grows in India. He expressed excitement about enabling Castrol's network to deliver comprehensive EV solutions and contribute to shaping a stronger mobility ecosystem in the country.

VinFast's Expansion in India

The partnership with Castrol India is part of VinFast's broader strategy to establish a strong presence in the Indian market. Recent developments include:

• Launch of an overseas assembly facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with an initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually, scalable to 150,000 units
• Partnerships with leading dealer groups to establish 35 dealerships across 27 cities by the end of 2025
• Introduction of premium SUVs, VF 6 and VF 7, in the Indian market

Conclusion

This collaboration between VinFast India and Castrol India marks a significant step towards improving the EV ownership experience in India. By combining VinFast's innovative electric vehicles with Castrol's extensive service network, the partnership aims to provide customers with reliable, high-quality after-sales support, ultimately contributing to the growth of sustainable mobility in the country.