FADA appoints Manish Raj Singhania as its new president

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the apex national body of automobile retail in India, today announced the appointment of Manish Raj Singhania as FADA’s 36th President and for the years 2022-24. He takes over from Vinkesh Gulati, who was FADA President for 2020-2022.

Manish Raj Singhania is the managing partner of Ralas Motors based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and has a Mahindra & Mahindra dealership. Besides a strong presence in the automobile business, the Ralas Group, is well established in the real estate business as well as agriculture. Mr Singhania has also been the president of Raipur Automobile Dealers Associations (RADA) for the past nine years. For over 12 years, he has been a key member of the FADA Governing Council, holding different positions and roles, particularly in accelerating the expansion of the association’s network.

FADA’s Governing Council has elevated the following for the years 2022-24:
- C S Vigneshwar, DMD – Anaamalais Toyota (dealer for Toyota, VECV and Ather) based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, takes over as the Vice-President.
- Sai Giridhar, MD Saisha Motors  (dealer for Skoda and Volvo Cars) based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, take over as Secretary.

The Council unanimously elected Amar Jatin Sheth as Treasurer for 2022-24. Mr Sheth is the Managing Director for Group Shaman (Dealer of Honda Cars, Volkswagen, and Triumph) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

FADA India commended its outgoing President Vinkesh Gulati for his immense contribution. Under his able leadership, FADA took multiple initiatives during the pandemic like Auto Dealers Protection Act, Model Dealer Agreement, creation of a two-wheeler vertical, GenX and Women in FADA verticals and also initiating the Dealership Satisfaction Study. During his term, automobile dealers once again came under the ambit of MSME.

Vinkesh Gulati said, “The past two years have been an enormous honour and source of pride for me as the head of India's apex association of automobile dealers. It is truly said that necessity is the mother of invention, and Covid-19 made our association even stronger. I received incredible support and energy from my team of office bearers, executive committee, governing council and all the State chairpersons as this journey wouldn't have been possible without their support.

“I congratulate my friend and colleague Manish Raj Singhania on taking over as the 36th President of FADA. After working with him for several years, I am confident that he will take the association to a newer orbit of momentum and growth. His unique working style and convincing approach will continue to help resolve dealers’ issues and challenges faced by the community. I strongly believe that the association will be even more unified and stronger under his leadership.”

Commenting on his appointment as FADA’s new president, Manish Raj Singhania said, “I am grateful and honoured that the Federation has placed its trust in me as I take the position of the next FADA president. Apart from putting in all my effort to strengthen auto retail across the length and breadth of the country and continuously striving to bring in a balanced approach towards dealer-related issues, I along with my team consisting of C S Vigneshwar, Sai Giridhar and Amar Jatin Sheth, will also work towards the implementation of the Auto Dealer’s Protection Act, getting in a balanced OEM- dealer agreement and continue to further strengthen FADA across all aspects.”

He added, “Despite the current challenges, India has the potential to become the global leader in the automobile industry. If the government, SIAM, ACMA and FADA wholeheartedly work in unison, this dream will become a reality well before its time.”

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