Pankaj Doval joins JSW Motors as head of government and corporate affairs

MUMBAI: When a company enters a crowded automotive market, horsepower alone does not decide the race. Policy understanding, regulatory foresight and the ability to navigate government corridors can often prove just as critical. JSW Motors appears to be betting on that equation with its latest leadership move.

Veteran automotive journalist Pankaj Doval has joined JSW Motors Limited as head of government and corporate affairs, bringing with him nearly three decades of experience tracking India’s policy shifts, corporate landscape and industrial ambitions.

Doval’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for JSW Motors as the company prepares to make its passenger vehicle debut and takes on established automotive players. His deep engagement with policymakers, ministries and industry bodies could provide the company with valuable insights as it navigates India’s evolving automotive regulations, manufacturing priorities and investment environment.

During his long stint with Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (Times Group), Doval emerged as one of the prominent voices tracking the intersection of policy, technology and industry. As senior editor, he led coverage across automobiles, telecom, electronics and information technology, while closely following government initiatives, regulatory changes and corporate strategies.

His reporting journey has also included leadership roles at The Times of India, Financial Express, Press Trust of India and United News of India, giving him a ringside view of India’s economic transformation over decades.

For JSW Motors, the appointment signals a broader strategy: building an organisation that extends beyond factories and products. The company is developing a greenfield manufacturing facility, establishing a dedicated research and development centre and plans to expand its engineering workforce to around 2,000 people by 2029.

The company has also secured an Rs 8,000 crore funding arrangement from State Bank of India to support manufacturing, product development and infrastructure expansion.

Under the leadership of CEO Ranjan Nayak, JSW Motors has been steadily assembling a senior team across engineering, manufacturing, product development, quality, purchasing, design, sales and marketing. The addition of Doval strengthens the corporate affairs function at a time when India’s automotive sector is undergoing a significant transition driven by electric vehicles, localisation, emissions norms and new manufacturing policies.

As global and domestic players compete for a larger share of India’s mobility opportunity, JSW Motors’ challenge will not just be building cars, but building credibility. Doval’s policy expertise could become an important piece of that larger ambition.