Devbhoomi Group CMD takes charge for 2026–28 as automobile retail sector navigates rapid transformation
Munish Sood
Mandi: Himachal Pradesh’s automobile retail sector has got a new leadership voice with Rajendra Vashista, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Devbhoomi Group Companies, being elected as the Himachal Pradesh State President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) for the 2026–28 term.
Vashista, who has built a strong presence in Himachal’s automobile industry over the past 15 years, will now represent the state’s automobile dealer community and take up issues concerning the sector at the national level.
His appointment comes at a time when the automobile retail industry is witnessing major changes, including the growing adoption of electric vehicles, rapid technological advancement, evolving regulatory requirements and changing consumer preferences.
From a 2011 beginning to a major automobile network
Vashista entered the automobile retail business in 2011 and subsequently expanded Devbhoomi Group into a significant automobile dealership network in the region.
The group operates authorised Hyundai dealerships in Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur and Shimla, supported by modern showrooms and workshops offering vehicle sales and after-sales services. It also operates Škoda Auto India dealerships in Mandi and Solan, further strengthening its presence across Himachal Pradesh.
Under Vashista’s leadership, the group has expanded beyond Himachal as well, entering Punjab with a Tata Motors dealership in Ropar district.
The expansion has been accompanied by a significant employment footprint. The group’s automobile operations provide employment to more than 1,000 people, making its dealership and service network an important source of jobs in the region.
A diversified business journey
Vashista’s entrepreneurial journey has also extended beyond automobile retail. Under his leadership, Devbhoomi Group has diversified into hospitality, cinema and green energy, among other sectors.
However, automobiles remain a key part of the group’s business journey, with its network spanning multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh and extending into neighbouring Punjab.
A changing industry, a bigger responsibility
As FADA Himachal Pradesh president, Vashista will have to address a range of issues confronting automobile dealers in the state.
The transition towards electric and new-energy vehicles, changing automobile technologies, regulatory and compliance requirements, rising business and operational costs and evolving customer expectations are reshaping the traditional dealership model.
His role will involve providing a common platform for the state’s automobile dealers while taking their concerns and policy-related issues to the national leadership of FADA.
For Vashista, the new responsibility represents a significant milestone in a business journey that began with his entry into automobile retail in 2011. For Himachal’s automobile dealer community, his appointment provides a new opportunity to strengthen the state’s voice in discussions shaping the future of automobile retail in India.
