Gagan Mangal has taken on a new role as Head of Communications at Nissan Motor India Private Limited, effective January 2026.Prior to this appointment, Mangal spent over 14 years at Volkswagen India, where he most recently served as Lead, Marketing Communications and Press. In this role, he was responsible for brand and product communications, media relations, and press strategy.During his tenure at Volkswagen India, he also held the position of Head of Press Communications for nearly seven years, along with earlier leadership roles including Chief Manager, Senior Manager, and Corporate Communications Manager. His responsibilities spanned corporate communication, media engagement, and strategic messaging for the brand in India.Before joining Volkswagen India, Mangal worked with Hyundai Motor India Limited as an Assistant Manager, where he was involved in corporate communication functions.With close to two decades of experience across the Indian automotive sector, Mangal brings extensive expertise in communications, press relations, and brand storytelling to his new role at Nissan Motor India.

Nissan Motor India has appointed Gagan Mangal as Head of Communications, effective January 12, 2026. Based in Gurugram, Mangal will lead communications for Nissan, reporting to Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications, and working closely with Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India. In his new role, Mangal will play a pivotal role in Nissan’s brand resurgence journey in India, supporting upcoming product launches and strengthening the company’s communications and media engagement efforts. Commenting on the appointment, Saurabh Vatsa said, “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.” Mangal joins Nissan from Volkswagen India, where he was heading Press and Marketing Communications. A management graduate, he brings over 18 years of extensive experience in corporate communications and marketing, having worked with leading automotive OEMs, including Volkswagen and Hyundai. Throughout his career, Mangal has played a key role in driving integrated communications strategies across product launches, large-scale events, brand strategy and campaigns. In his previous roles, he was responsible for shaping communications strategy, building strong media narratives, and managing relationships with national and regional media. Gagan Mangal, Head of Communications, Nissan Motor India, said, “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.” “Gagan brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape,” said Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications. “We are confident his leadership will be instrumental as Nissan enters an exciting new phase in India.” 

Volkswagen India has awarded its press communication mandate to Ruder Finn India, one of the world's largest integrated global communications & creative agency. Reinforcing its commitment to creative and tech-first storytelling for its products and reputation building for the brand, Ruder Finn will work closely with Volkswagen India to highlight the brand?ÇÖs commitment to innovation, performance, sustainability, and future of mobility. Effective May 1, 2025, Ruder Finn will bring its full spectrum of capabilities ?Çö including strategic counsel and planning, corporate storytelling, media relations, and integrated campaign support ?Çö aimed at strengthening the brand?ÇÖs voice in the Indian market and advancing Volkswagen?ÇÖs business objectives across corporate and brand communications.  Commenting on the partnership, Gagan Mangal -Lead, Marketing Communications & Press, Volkswagen India, said, ?Ç£As we continue to evolve in a dynamic automotive and communications landscape, we are excited to onboard Ruder Finn as our communications partner. Their strategic thinking, integrated approach, and deep understanding of brand storytelling made them the right fit for our journey ahead.?Ç¥  Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India & Head, Middle East, said: ?Ç£This mandate is a testament to our growing strength in integrated communications and corporate positioning across sectors. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to support Volkswagen India, an iconic brand that has shaped the automobile industry globally and in India. We are thrilled to partner with them at such a pivotal time in this category; our goal will be to create compelling storytelling that mirrors Volkswagen?ÇÖs legacy and its forward-looking journey, supporting their business ambitions.?Ç¥   Ruder Finn will operate as an extension of Volkswagen India?ÇÖs communications team to ensure consistent, insight-led messaging across earned and owned channels.