Brands
VinFast names Anurag Saxena deputy CEO to steer India growth
Former Honda executive to drive dealer expansion and EV market push
GURUGRAM: Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast has appointed Anurag Saxena as deputy CEO for its India operations, bringing in a seasoned automotive executive as the company prepares to deepen its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing electric mobility markets.
In his new role at VinFast India, Saxena will work closely with the leadership team to accelerate the company’s growth strategy, with a focus on dealer network expansion, market penetration and strengthening the brand’s presence across the country’s evolving EV ecosystem.
Saxena joins the Vietnamese EV manufacturer after a long stint with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., where he spent more than two decades in a variety of leadership roles. Most recently, he served as operating officer, overseeing core business functions and shaping strategic planning across the company’s two-wheeler portfolio.
During his tenure, Saxena led more than 135 teams across six divisions, including business development, product strategy, marketing, electrification, network expansion and sales digitisation. He also played a key role in steering Honda’s early EV roadmap in India, including the launch of its first EV concept store in Bengaluru and the rollout of a scalable electric retail network.
Earlier, as regional business head for North India, he drove strong growth across key markets including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab. Under his leadership, the region achieved a 30 per cent rise in volumes over four years, while market share climbed from 21 per cent to 28 per cent.
His career at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. also included leadership positions in central and western India, where he worked on dealer expansion, product planning and sales strategy. Notably, he helped design the ‘Hi-Rise’ dealer management system and introduced a pre-owned vehicle platform that expanded the company’s retail ecosystem.
Saxena began his career in export sales with Cosmo Ferrites Limited, where he handled international markets across the United States and Europe before moving into the automotive sector.
His appointment comes as VinFast accelerates its India plans, betting on the country’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market and growing consumer appetite for sustainable mobility. With Saxena at the wheel, the company appears keen to combine global EV ambition with local market expertise.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches accessories brand Maejoy
The Bollywood star’s lifestyle brand, built with Myntra and Exceed Entertainment, promises aspirational fashion without the high price tag
MUMBAI: Malaika Arora is not the first Bollywood star to put her name on a brand, and she will not be the last. But Maejoy, the accessories label she has launched in partnership with Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL) and talent outfit Exceed Entertainment, at least has a sharper pitch than most. The brand drops with 250-plus styles spanning handbags and lab-grown diamond jewellery, two categories that sit squarely in the sweet spot between aspiration and affordability, and lands on Myntra’s platform from day one, putting it in front of millions of shoppers without breaking a sweat.
The handbag range covers the full gamut: crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, workwear classics, backpacks and clutches, rendered in synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestone and metallic finishes. The jewellery line runs to rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets in silver, gold and rose-gold tones, set in 925 sterling silver with IGI and GCI certified lab-grown diamonds. The brand’s guiding philosophy, “The Joy of Being Me,” stakes its claim on individuality and self-expression; its three brand pillars, Authentic, Empowering, Accessible, are the usual suspects, though the lab-grown diamond bet is savvier than it sounds. Lab-grown stones now sell at a fraction of the price of mined ones, and the category is growing fast in India as younger buyers wise up to the arbitrage.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business, or through my personal style, I’ve championed the idea that fashion should be empowering yet effortless. The brand aims to democratise global fashion trends while offering women something that extends the feeling of luxury every day, be it a lab-grown diamond or a perfectly crafted handbag,” said Malaika Arora, founder of Maejoy
MJIPL, the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra, is putting its design and brand-building muscle behind the venture. Suman Saha, chief experience officer and head of house of brands at MJIPL, was bullish on the tie-up.
“Maejoy brings together Malaika Arora’s distinctive style perspective with a strong proposition in the accessible yet elevated accessories space. We believe the brand’s fashion-forward designs and thoughtful positioning will connect strongly with discerning consumers.”
Suman Saha, chief experience officer, head of house of brands, MJIPL
Afsar Zaidi, chief executive of Exceed Entertainment, the talent management firm that helped broker the deal, has worked with MJIPL before and was characteristically direct about what makes Arora an unusually bankable partner.
“Building celebrity-led brands requires a delicate balance of authenticity and market viability. Malaika is a rare talent who commands equal respect as a fashion icon and a savvy businesswoman. We are proud to facilitate this partnership that brings together her creative clout and Myntra’s brand-building excellence,” said Zaidi
Celebrity fashion brands live or die on one question: does the star actually wear it, or is the cheque the only thing they signed? Arora, who has spent three decades as one of Bollywood’s most-watched style references, has at least built a plausible case. Maejoy is live now on www.myntra.com and the Myntra app. The real test, whether shoppers buy the handbag or just the hype, starts today.
