BluSmart, India’s electric ride-hailing company, is navigating a period of significant upheaval, characterized by a wave of senior executive departures and strategic asset sales. Sources indicate that CEO Anirudh Arun has left the company, with Nandan Sharma, vice-president of business and operations, stepping into the leadership role, as per a Morning Context report.
This leadership change is accompanied by a broader exodus of key executives, including Chief Business Officer Tushar Garg, Chief Technology Officer Rishabh Sood, and Priya Chakravarthy, vice-president of experience, who have either left or are leaving. These departures are understood to be linked to the company’s urgent need to raise capital through asset liquidation, following financial strain and the closure of its Dubai operations.
Adding to the company’s challenges, reports have emerged indicating that Uber is in early-stage discussions to acquire BluSmart. These reports highlight Uber’s potential interest in BluSmart’s EV fleet and charging infrastructure, as Uber seeks to strengthen its position in India’s rapidly expanding EV ride-hailing market.
However, BluSmart has categorically denied these acquisition reports. A company spokesperson told Morning Context that the reports are “speculative and unfounded,” emphasizing BluSmart’s commitment to independent growth.
The situation is further complicated by the financial difficulties faced by BluSmart’s parent company, Gensol Engineering, which is undertaking measures to address liquidity challenges.
The confluence of executive departures, asset sales, and acquisition speculation underscores the challenges BluSmart faces in maintaining its position in India’s competitive ride-hailing landscape.