Abbey Thomas appointed as Bentley India’s Country Head

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has announced the appointment of Abbey Thomas as the new country head for Bentley India. Thomas, who previously led marketing and public relations at Volkswagen India, will assume his new role in January 2024. He will report directly to Jan Bures, Executive Director - Sales, Marketing, and Digital, at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India.

This move comes as part of Bentley Motors' plan to transition its operations in India from Exclusive Motors, its current importer, to Skoda Volkswagen Group India's national sales office. The restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, streamline the availability of parts, and expand Bentley’s presence, particularly with a new dealership in Southern India.

Bentley, a luxury brand under the Volkswagen Group's premium brand portfolio, including Škoda, Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini, is expected to benefit from these strategic changes, which reflect the growing importance of the Indian market for luxury automotive brands. The shift to Skoda Volkswagen Group’s oversight will allow Bentley to tap into the larger infrastructure and reach of the group’s national sales network.

Thomas, who holds an MBA in marketing from the Department of Management Studies at PUMBA, has a rich career history in the automotive industry. His journey began as a sales officer at Kinetic Finance, followed by marketing roles at Mercedes-Benz India and Honda Cars India. He also led marketing and PR for Saud Bahwan Group in Oman, and held senior positions at Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Nissan. Prior to his role at Volkswagen, Thomas served as General Manager - Product at Audi India, later rising to the position of Chief General Manager - Head of Product and Sales Planning.

This leadership change marks an exciting new chapter for Bentley in India, as it looks to strengthen its footprint and offer enhanced services to its discerning clientele.

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