Chennai, October 27 (Monday): In a major leadership change, Mario Alvisi, the Chief Growth Officer (EV) and head of Royal Enfield’s electric mobility vertical, has stepped down from his role. The move comes at a crucial juncture as the company prepares for the global rollout of its new EV brand and the domestic launch of its first electric motorcycle in 2026.
A pivotal transition in Royal Enfield’s EV journey
Sources confirmed to Autocar Professional that Alvisi’s exit aligns with internal restructuring and evolving global go-to-market strategies within Royal Enfield’s electric mobility division. During his tenure, Alvisi played a defining role in shaping the EV roadmap — building the brand’s identity, product architecture, and commercial framework from the ground up.
A former executive at Ducati, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo, Alvisi joined Royal Enfield in 2023 to lead the company’s transition into the electric era, describing his mission as developing a “startup within the company.”
Laying the foundation for the Flying Flea project
Under his leadership, Royal Enfield developed the Flying Flea project — a modern, urban-oriented electric motorcycle inspired by the company’s wartime classic of the same name. The model, engineered across Royal Enfield’s Chennai Technical Centre and UK Technology Centre, serves as the base for the brand’s upcoming global EV lineup.
The EV team will now report to Yadvinder Singh Guleria (Chief Commercial Officer) and B. Govindarajan (CEO). This restructuring integrates the EV vertical more closely with Royal Enfield’s mainstream operations — a shift from brand creation to commercial execution and scalability.
Consolidation phase: Integration and execution
The timing of Alvisi’s departure signals the company’s transition into the next phase of its electric strategy — moving from design and brand-building to localisation, cost optimisation, and market readiness.
With the EV division now reporting directly to Royal Enfield’s senior leadership, the focus is expected to shift towards integrating electric operations with the company’s sourcing, manufacturing, and retail networks.
The announcement was made internally earlier this month. Alvisi is not expected to attend the upcoming EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, where Royal Enfield will unveil the S6, the second model under its Flying Flea EV brand, following the C6.
Strategic scale and global-first rollout
Royal Enfield has earmarked ₹1,500 crore for its EV programme, employing over 200 engineers across India and the UK. The company holds 45+ patents in areas such as battery packaging, thermal management, and lightweight chassis design.
The Flying Flea platform will debut internationally before its India launch, reflecting Royal Enfield’s global-first EV strategy. Initial production will take place at the Oragadam plant near Chennai, with eventual scale-up to a new greenfield facility in Cheyyar.
Why this leadership change matters
Alvisi’s exit underscores a key shift in Royal Enfield’s EV strategy — from conceptual development to commercial readiness. His contributions in defining the EV identity and global brand architecture have set the stage for the company’s next chapter, where execution speed, localisation, and integration will determine success.
Royal Enfield’s EV transformation remains one of the most closely watched initiatives in India’s mid-weight motorcycle market. The company aims to balance its heritage appeal with modern electric innovation, positioning its EV line as a distinct, lifestyle-oriented sub-brand for global urban markets.
The first electric motorcycle from Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea lineup is expected to enter production in FY2026, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution under Eicher Motors Ltd.
