Nissan Motor India has appointed Gagan Mangal as head of communications. Based in Gurugram, Mangal will lead communications for the Indian market, reporting to Katherine Zachary, vice president – international communications, and working closely with Saurabh Vatsa, managing director, Nissan Motor India.
The appointment comes at a time when Nissan is looking to strengthen its brand narrative in India amid plans for upcoming product launches and renewed market focus. From a marketing and advertising standpoint, the role is central to shaping how Nissan communicates its brand direction, product strategy and customer relevance across media and stakeholder groups.
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 headed press and marketing communications. A management graduate, he brings over 18 years of experience across corporate communications and marketing, having worked with automotive OEMs including Volkswagen and Hyundai. His background includes managing integrated communications for product launches, large-scale events, brand strategy initiatives and national and regional media engagement.
In the context of an increasingly fragmented media environment, the role places emphasis on aligning paid, earned and owned channels to deliver consistent brand messaging. Automotive brands in India face heightened competition not only on product features but also on perception, trust and long-term relevance, making communications strategy a critical lever.
Mangal 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.”
He added that the focus would be on ensuring Nissan’s global ambitions are reflected in locally resonant storytelling, an increasingly important requirement as global automotive brands adapt messaging for Indian consumers.
Zachary reinforced the strategic importance of the appointment, saying, “Gagan brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape. We are confident his leadership will be instrumental as Nissan enters an exciting new phase in India.”
Mangal’s role will involve supporting upcoming product launches and strengthening Nissan’s media engagement efforts. This includes sharpening brand positioning, managing reputation, and ensuring alignment between corporate communications and marketing-led storytelling. As Nissan works towards rebuilding momentum in India, the appointment signals a renewed emphasis on structured, integrated communications to support brand resurgence and sustained market presence.