Google Hires Apple's Former Sales Lead Mitul Shah To Drive Pixel Expansion In India

In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the Indian smartphone market, Google has appointed Mitul Shah as the Managing Director for Devices and Services Business, specifically tasked with leading the sales and expansion efforts of Pixel devices, news agency PTI has reported.

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Mitul Shah Joins Google's Leadership Team From Apple

Shah officially announced his new role through a LinkedIn post.

"I am happy to share that I've started an exciting new journey with Google as Managing Director for Devices & Services Business - leading Pixel’s sales and expansion efforts in India. It's an honor to be part of a company that's at the forefront of innovation, and I'm particularly thrilled to be working on a product that has the potential to put the magic and power of AI in the pockets of millions of people across my beloved country," Shah posted on his LinkedIn page.

Google's Manufacturing Partnerships In India

Shah's appointment at Google comes at a critical time when the tech giant is actively expanding its manufacturing partnerships in India, collaborating with Foxconn and Dixon to produce Pixel smartphones locally.

"Pixel is not just another device. It's the platform designed to put the immense power and possibilities of AI in everyone’s pocket. It's an absolute privilege to be part of this story, to bring the best of Google to Indian consumers and build a more connected and empowered society," Shah added in his post.

The move points at Google's strategy to gain market share in India's competitive smartphone landscape, using Shah's extensive sales experience and deep understanding of the local consumer technology ecosystem in the country.

Earlier February, Google directed its manufacturing partners to start Pixel smartphone production in India during the upcoming quarter, as reported by the Nikkei newspaper.

The directive followed Google's previous announcement in October, which outlined plans to establish local smartphone manufacturing capabilities in India for the Pixel 8.

By diversifying production locations, Google aims to mitigate potential geopolitical and supply chain risks while positioning itself strategically in one of the world's most dynamic smartphone markets.