Sameer Malhotra

About me

DIRECTOR & CEO, SHRIRAM AUTOMALL INDIA LIMITED (SAMIL)

An industry veteran, visionary leader and pioneer, Sameer Malhotra spearheads Shriram Automall India Limited with passion and integrity. Through innovation, customer focus, and sustainable practices, he has reshaped India's pre-owned vehicle & equipment landscape, creating opportunities and lasting impact.

Every Asset Has a Story. His Is About Empowering People

With over 35 years of experience in the automobile and infrastructure sectors, Sameer has devoted his life to building opportunities where others saw challenges. Curiosity, resilience, and empathy have been his guiding forces — qualities that shaped him as a leader long before they shaped any organisation he built.

Decade-long experience heading multiple divisions at SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited taught him the nuances of equipment finance. These experiences, along with extensive travel across the USA, Canada, Germany, and South Africa, strengthened his belief that true impact comes from blending global best practices with local realities. This understanding helped him formalize the pre-owned vehicle market in India and propel it ahead of the curve.

“Technology Is Only Powerful When It Serves Real People.”

What drives him every day is the belief that behind every asset lies a story of opportunity—an old tractor helping a farmer expand productivity, or a used truck enabling a transporter to grow. These are not just transactions; they are lifelines supporting livelihoods and economic mobility.

“Innovation begins where challenges meet vision.” - Sameer Malhotra

He has embraced technology wholeheartedly to empower real users. He built solutions like the MySAMIL App, SMS bidding, and online bidding platforms to make buying and selling accessible to all. He also developed ThePriceX—an AI-powered price prediction engine built on a decade of auction insights—to ensure fair, transparent valuations. These innovations were designed to put control in the hands of farmers, transporters, and entrepreneurs who depend on these assets.

“Success Is Measured by Lives We Uplift, Not Just Numbers We Grow.”

One of his proudest achievements is the impact SAMIL has created. The company has transacted over 2.35 million pre-owned assets, helping people across India achieve their dreams. While he has been honoured with awards like CEO of the Year at the Corporate Guru World Summit 2021 and listed among the Top 25 Leaders at the Great Managers' League Summit 2024, the real reward remains the smiles of farmers and small business owners who thrive because of affordable, transparent solutions.

Under his leadership, SAMIL earned ISO 9001:2015 and Great Place to Work® certifications, and also featured in the Limca Book of Records. It went on to receive distinctions like India's Most Trusted Brand and Best Disruptive Innovation of the Year.

“Innovation Thrives When Transparency Meets Purpose.”

His philosophy has always been rooted in creating long-term social impact. SAMIL's CSR programs—such as the Junior Einstein Scholarship Programme, tree plantation drives, and clean water initiatives—are built on the belief that business must give back meaningfully.

“Business Grows When People Grow.”

His mission remains to foster innovation that uplifts communities. He envisions a future where technology, transparency, and trust work together to build a more inclusive marketplace—one where every transaction becomes a stepping stone toward empowerment.

“Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about asking the right questions that lead to progress.” - Sameer Malhotra

Career Milestones (Timeline)

“His Journey Began with Learning Global Best Practices.”

Before founding SAMIL, he worked with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers—the world's largest commercial asset auction company—as Country Manager & Director for the Asia Subcontinent. This experience exposed him to world-class auction processes and customer-centric systems.

Later, at SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd., he led senior divisions in equipment finance and rental services, gaining deep insights into asset lifecycle management, customer behaviour, and the mechanics of equipment financing. These experiences laid the foundation for the vision that would eventually shape SAMIL.

“In a world driven by change, adaptability is the superpower every leader must master.” - Sameer Malhotra

“He Dreamed of Bringing Transparency to an Unorganised Market.”

In 2011, he founded Shriram Automall India Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shriram Finance Limited. At a time when the pre-owned vehicle and equipment market in India was largely unorganised, he envisioned a transparent, structured, and fair ecosystem built through physical auctions.

What began with a few Automalls offering valuation, parking, and documentation services soon grew into a large, trusted network built on fairness and trust.

“Growth Happens When Purpose Meets Execution.”

SAMIL expanded rapidly, establishing over 135 Automalls across India by the mid-2020s. These Automalls evolved into full-service ecosystems providing inspection, valuation, bidding, documentation, and disposal for cars, commercial vehicles, farm machinery, construction equipment, and more.

By 2025, SAMIL had facilitated over 2.35 million pre-owned asset transactions, making it India's largest phygital marketplace in the sector. The organisation earned ISO, STQC, and Great Place to Work® certifications and was featured in the Limca Book of Records for auction innovations.

“Partnerships Are About Shared Vision, Not Just Business Deals.”

In 2018, SAMIL partnered with CarTrade Tech, merging the strengths of offline and online platforms. With SAMIL's nationwide auction network, CarTrade Exchange's online trading platform, and Adroit Auto's inspection and valuation expertise, they built India's most complete pre-owned asset ecosystem.

“Innovation Is About Empowering Every User.”

Between 2019 and 2020, he pushed digital transformation—launching MySAMIL, SMS bidding, and desktop live bidding to enable participation from anywhere. ThePriceX further revolutionised asset valuation with its AI-driven price prediction engine built on years of auction data.

In 2020, SAMIL acquired Augeo, expanding into industrial and stressed-asset auctions and ensuring solutions for a wider audience.

“Impact Is Measured in Real Lives Touched.”

Today, SAMIL connects millions across India with trusted pre-owned asset solutions covering parking, valuation, documentation, logistics, bidding, and finance—each step designed with the user in mind.

“The Future Is Transparent, Inclusive, and Powered by Data.”

His vision is to use AI and data-driven technology to deepen SAMIL's presence in rural and semi-urban India, empower small entrepreneurs, and expand services in industrial and stressed assets. The mission is to create a sustainable, efficient ecosystem built on transparency and inclusion.

“Success feels meaningful when it helps someone take a step forward.” - Sameer Malhotra

Awards (Individual Achievements)

“His Journey of Recognition”

Throughout his career, he has believed that meaningful success is defined by the impact leaders create. Every award he has received reflects the people he's worked with, the challenges they've overcome, and the values they've upheld.

“He believes in listening more than speaking because true leadership begins with understanding.” - Sameer Malhotra

From being honoured among the Top 25 CEOs, Managing Directors, and Founders at the Great Managers' League Summit in 2024, to receiving the Leader's Award at the BIG CIO Show in 2023, each recognition strengthens his commitment to lead with purpose.

He has been celebrated as the Best CEO in Auto & Mobility Tech by the World Auto Forum in 2021 and has earned multiple recognitions for contributions to the pre-owned automobile ecosystem. Being listed among The Greatest Marketing Influencers in 2018 was another defining milestone.

One of the most significant moments was SAMIL's entry into the Limca Book of Records in 2013 for India's largest physical bidding event—a testament to innovation, scale, and transparency.

Beyond Work (Sports, Hobbies, Passions)

“The Personal Journey”

Beyond professional life, his personal values guide his leadership—empathy, resilience, and learning. His family's support and simple wisdom continually inspire his approach to leadership and decision-making.

Whether it's the patience learned from golfing, exploring global trends, or reading about leadership and innovation, his personal passions shape the way he leads teams and organisations.

His purpose extends beyond business metrics—he strives to empower machine operators, small farmers, and transporters by enabling access to affordable assets. Every step he takes is rooted in creating opportunities, building trust, and uplifting lives through transparent, meaningful solutions.