Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL) has appointed Gagan Mangal as its Head of Communications, effective January 12, 2026, as the Japanese automaker sharpens its focus on brand building and upcoming product introductions in the country.
Based in Gurugram, Mangal will lead all communications for Nissan in India. He will report to Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications, and work closely with Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India.
Leadership appointment amid brand reset
Announcing the appointment, Saurabh Vatsa said Nissan was bringing Mangal on board at a crucial phase for the company’s India operations.
“We are pleased to welcome Gagan to Nissan Motor India at a pivotal time in our journey. He brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape. As we accelerate our brand resurgence and prepare for exciting product launches, Gagan’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our communications strategy and building a compelling Nissan narrative in India,” Vatsa said.
Two decades of automotive communications experience
Mangal joins Nissan from Volkswagen India, where he headed Press and Marketing Communications. A management graduate, he brings over 18 years of experience across corporate communications and marketing, having worked with major automotive original equipment manufacturers including Volkswagen and Hyundai.
Over the course of his career, he has led integrated communication programmes covering product launches, large-scale corporate events, brand positioning and marketing campaigns. His previous roles involved shaping long-term communication strategy, building media narratives and managing relationships with national and regional media outlets.
Focus on product launches and media engagement
At Nissan Motor India, Mangal will support the company’s communications and media engagement initiatives, including upcoming product launches and activities aligned with Nissan’s broader brand strategy in the Indian market.
Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Mangal said he was joining the company at a defining moment in its local journey.
“I am truly excited to join Nissan Motor India at this pivotal moment in its growth and transformation journey. India remains a priority market for Nissan, with significant opportunities to strengthen brand relevance, trust, and customer connection. I look forward to collaborating closely with teams across India and globally to craft a clear, confident, and customer-centric narrative — one that reflects Nissan’s global ambitions while resonating authentically with audiences in India,” he said.
Global communications leadership backs move
Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications at Nissan, said the company was confident Mangal’s experience would add momentum to its India plans.
“Gagan brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape. We are confident his leadership will be instrumental as Nissan enters an exciting new phase in India,” Zachary said.
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