Sunjay Kapur, a prominent name in the automotive industry and an avid polo player, , passed away tragically at 53 due to a massive cardiac arrest while playing his beloved sport.
A dynamic young businessman, Kapur quickly took the reins of the family business after his father’s passing. He was widely admired for his leadership, notably for successfully managing Sona Comstar’s IPO in 2021, and for mentoring numerous individuals across various industries.
Kapur was among the first in the industry to foresee the electric mobility revolution. He was instrumental in steering Sona Comstar towards the burgeoning EV market, transforming it into a key supplier of highly engineered, mission-critical systems and components, including traction motors and differential assemblies.
Under his guidance, Sona Comstar evolved into a global automotive technology powerhouse, prioritising innovation, sustainability and purpose. The company now boasts manufacturing and R&D facilities across India, the US, Serbia, Mexico, and China, and is a leading supplier to the global EV market, ranking among the world’s largest producers of EV traction motor components by volume.
His forward-thinking approach led to his election as President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) for the 2021-22 session. In this role, he championed technological adoption, promoted localisation and fostered indigenous development, contributing significantly to an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) automotive ecosystem. His leadership was pivotal in the Indian auto-component industry achieving a record turnover of ₹5.6 lakh crore in FY23.
Kapur also co-chaired the Manufacturing Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and was recently elected Chairman of the CII Northern Region for 2025-26. Through these positions, he advocated for policies that spurred industrial growth, championed MSMEs, and promoted innovation and sustainability across manufacturing sectors.
A Life Lived Fully
Despite his active lifestyle, Kapur’s sudden demise came as a shock. “He was fit as a fiddle and he had so many gadgets around him which used to check his vitals,” recalled Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, and a longtime colleague.
Kapur’s passion for polo wasn’t without risks. During an Auto Expo a few years ago, he broke his leg in a fall from his horse, requiring rods to be fitted. When asked how many rods he had accumulated from such accidents and if metal detectors at airports were constantly beeping, he jokingly responded: “I have stopped counting, so basically I am an Iron Man now!”
Mehta also recounted a chillingly prophetic jest from that time. “Sunjay, next time you get onto a horse, it will kill you,” a gentleman had quipped. Sadly, no one could have imagined such a lighthearted remark would become a tragic reality on that fateful day.
Published on June 13, 2025
