Vijay Kalra

Visionary Automotive & Manufacturing Leader | Strategic Advisor | Industry Transformation Expert

Vijay Kalra is a distinguished leader in the automotive and manufacturing sectors with over 45 years of experience in global organizations, spanning Indian, British, Japanese, Korean, German, American, and Chinese industries. His expertise lies in manufacturing excellence, quality management, operational efficiency, and Industry 4.0 transformation.

As the Former CEO & Executive Director at Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd. (MVML) and Chief of Manufacturing Operations at Mahindra & Mahindra, he played a crucial role in driving business transformation, sustainability, and digitalization initiatives. Under his leadership, Mahindra established industry-first achievements, such as:

  • India’s First LNG facility in partnership with BPCL.
  • Carbon-neutral plant in the engineering sector.
  • Zero Waste to Landfill strategy.
  • Doubling energy productivity within three years (EP100 initiative).
  • 100% LED lighting transformation across the group.

Vijay Kalra has successfully led over 14 new automotive product launches, managed seven manufacturing plants, and overseen a supply chain of 500+ Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers—delivering 700,000+ vehicles annually.

Key Roles & Contributions
President, Indian Society for Quality (ISQ)
  • Leading excellence initiatives in Indian industries.
Independent Director, Setco Automotive Ltd.
  • Driving strategic manufacturing innovation.
Advisor, Automotive & Manufacturing Excellence
  • Mentoring startups and established businesses on Industry 4.0, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Strategic Transformation Committee Member, T-Hub
  • Driving India’s industrial innovation in partnership with global leaders.
Core Expertise
  • Business Leadership & Strategy
  • Greenfield & Brow mw-100nfield Project Development
  • Lean Manufacturing & Operational Excellence
  • Cost Efficiency & Supply Chain Optimization
  • Digital Transformation & Industry 4.0
  • Sustainability & Carbon-Neutral Manufacturing

As a Global Manufacturing System Auditor (General Motors), he has evaluated and optimized operations across China, Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Japan.

Recognition & Influence

Vijay Kalra is widely recognized for his ability to blend technological advancements with human-centric leadership. His leadership in Toyota Production Systems, The Mahindra Way, and General Motors’ Global Manufacturing System has positioned him as a sought-after strategic mentor and advisor in the industry