MAM
Highway Roop drives in Dharmesh Arora as CEO to steer its global ambitions in auto components
MUMBAI: For India’s auto component sector, the race is heating up—and Highway Roop just brought in a serious driver. The newly-formed platform has named industry veteran Dharmesh Arora as its CEO, marking a pivotal leadership shift as it gears up for scale and global competitiveness.
The appointment brings over three decades of expertise to Highway Roop Precision Technologies Limited, a merged platform of Highway Industries Limited and Roop Automotives Limited. Arora previously served as
Schaeffler Group CEO – Asia Pacific and led Schaeffler India for seven years before that. His career journey began in 1986 as a product engineer at Maruti Suzuki, later spanning leadership stints at General Motors across supply chain and procurement.
“We are excited that Dharmesh has joined as CEO of Highway Roop. He is a highly experienced professional who has a deep understanding of the automotive industry and brings decades of global experience in building and managing automotive businesses. Dharmesh will be focusing on accelerating growth, driving operational excellence, and leveraging innovation to deliver enhanced value for the Platform’s customers and strengthen its market position”, said Highway Roop non-executive chairman Mohit Oswal.
With the Indian automotive ecosystem entering an electrifying phase—literally and figuratively—Highway Roop’s timing is sharp. The company manufactures forged and precision-machined components, steering assemblies, and transmissions for electric, hybrid and ICE-powered vehicles. Under Arora’s stewardship, the company aims to add synergistic assets and expand its footprint across global markets.
“I am honored to join Highway Roop at such an exciting time for India’s automotive industry. The platform’s strong manufacturing capabilities, diverse product portfolio, and global customer base create a powerful foundation for expansion. I am looking forward to collaborating with the talented Highway Roop team to create long-term and sustainable value for its customers and stakeholders”, commented Arora.
Backed by a rich legacy and a forward-looking product lineup, Highway Roop appears ready to shift gears. With Arora at the helm, the company is positioning itself to play a leading role in the evolving auto supply chain—where scale, sustainability, and speed will define who leads and who lags.
Brands
Kotak buys Deutsche’s India retail business in Rs 45 billion deal
Preferred bidder moves ahead as German lender pares India exposure
MUMBAI: India’s banking chessboard is shifting fast. Kotak Mahindra Bank is set to snap up Deutsche Bank’s India retail business in a deal pegged at about Rs 45 billion ($480.3 million), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing people familiar with the matter.
Kotak, flagged as the preferred bidder over Federal Bank, could seal the transaction as early as next week, though the final price may still be tweaked at closing. Both Kotak Mahindra Bank and Deutsche Bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The move underscores Deutsche Bank’s steady retreat from select global retail markets as it sharpens focus and cuts exposure. In India, the exit would cover a retail banking network spanning 17 branches, a modest but strategic footprint in a fiercely competitive market.
The deal fits a broader pattern. In 2022, Citi offloaded its India consumer business for more than $1 billion as it pulled back from global retail. Last year, Standard Chartered sold a $488 million personal loan portfolio in India to Kotak Mahindra Bank, reinforcing Kotak’s appetite for bolt on growth.
Numbers tell their own story. Deutsche Bank’s retail banking revenue in India stood at $278.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2025, respectable but not enough to justify long term capital in a market dominated by domestic heavyweights and nimble private lenders.
For Kotak, the acquisition is less about scale and more about sharpening its retail edge, customers, cards and cross sell opportunities bundled into one tidy purchase. For Deutsche, it is another clean cut in a global reshaping.
Deals like this rarely shout. They quietly redraw the map.
