CEO Insights Hall of Fame: Eight Leaders Who Carved the Indian Automotive Sector
R C Bhargava —Former IAS Officer Turned Leader Driving Maruti’s Success
An Indian Airline employee, Harpal Singh, received the keys to the first ever Maruti 800 in the year 1983, the year it was first launched. You can see this car showcased in the headquarters in New Delhi after a historic acquisition by Maruti Suzuki.
When the Maruti 800 was driven on the roads, it sparked a revolution that opened doors to new avenues in India's car industry. Besides that, it facilitated personalized transportation for many citizens when it came out. The man behind the car’s fame was RC Bhargava, a former IAS official.
For 25 years, Bhargava served as an Indian Administrative Service officer. At age 48, he switched the gears of his career to start fresh in a completely different field—automotive. He joined Maruti in 1981 as the Marketing Director immediately after the company’s incorporation. This was the time when India’s former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, nationalized the assets of Maruti. As a result, Maruti Udyog was born from a partnership with Suzuki Motors, and the responsibility of leading the company was passed on to the shoulders of Bhargava.
Maruti’s Evolution is Synonymous with Bhargava
Maruti shares its three-decade evolution with Bhargava, which went from being under the government’s control to becoming largely owned by Suzuki Motor, which helped India receive praise from the world for motorization. During its evolution, Bhargava steered its wheels from a lot of test drives of changes, and his roles went from deputy managing director to managing director, chairman and managing director, and now chairman.
A Man of His Word
Much of Maruti’s success Bhargava credits to manpower, which has been powering the company through its journey. Also, the personal involvement of Suzuki Motor’s Osamu Suzuki, who kept faith in Bhargava, helped smoothen the rough times the firm went through.
Therefore, it can be said that it was working in tandem with Osamu Suzuki giving personal input across specific areas and Bhargava’s commitment to implementing those in the company’s policies.
Bhargava spent an immense of time in his career overseeing Maruti’s triumph, and in between, he happened to co-author a book, ‘The Maruti Story,’ as well as having penned a few articles for a Japanese publication.