TVS Motor Company

Last updated

TVS Motor Company Limited
Company type Public
Industry Automotive
Founded1978;46 years ago (1978)
Founder T. V. Sundram Iyengar
Headquarters,
India
Number of locations
4 two-wheeler and 1 three-wheeler plants
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Products
Services
RevenueIncrease2.svg39,145 crore (US$4.9 billion) (FY24) [3]
Increase2.svg2,746 crore (US$340 million) (FY24) [3]
Increase2.svg1,686 crore (US$210 million) (FY24) [3]
Total assets Increase2.svg27,072 crore (US$3.4 billion) (2022) [4]
Total equity Increase2.svg4,399 crore (US$550 million) (2022) [4]
Owner TVS Holdings (50.26%) [5]
Number of employees
5,133 (2020) [4]
Parent TVS Group
Subsidiaries Norton Motorcycle Company (100%)
Website www.tvsmotor.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

TVS Motor Company (commonly known as TVS) is an Indian multinational motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Chennai. It is the third-largest motorcycle company in India by revenue. The company has annual sales of three million units and an annual production capacity of over four million vehicles. TVS Motor Company is also the second largest two-wheeler exporter in India with exports to over 60 countries.

Contents

TVS Motor Company is the flagship company of the TVS Group, being the largest company of the group in terms of valuation and turnover.

History

T. V. Sundram Iyengar began with Madurai's first bus service in 1911 and founded TVS, a company in the transportation business with a large fleet of trucks and buses under the name of Southern Roadways.

Early history

Sundaram Clayton was founded in 1962 in collaboration with Clayton Dewandre Holdings, United Kingdom. It manufactured brakes, exhausts, compressors and various other automotive parts. The company set up a plant at Hosur in 1976, to manufacture mopeds as part of their new division. In 1980, TVS 50, India's first two-seater moped rolled out of the factory at Hosur in Tamil Nadu, India. A technical collaboration with the Japanese auto giant Suzuki Ltd. resulted in the joint-venture between Sundaram Clayton Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corporation, in 1987. Commercial production of motorcycles began in 1989. [6]

Suzuki relationship

TVS and Suzuki shared a one-year-long relationship that was aimed at technology transfer for design and manufacture of two-wheelers specifically for the Indian market. Re-christened TVS-Suzuki, the company brought out several models such as the Suzuki Supra, Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Shogun and Suzuki Shaolin. In 2001, after separating ways with Suzuki, the company was renamed TVS Motor, relinquishing its rights to use the Suzuki name. There was also a 30-month moratorium period during which Suzuki promised not to enter the Indian market with competing two-wheelers.

Recent
TVS Apache RR 310 is their latest 310 cc motorcycle Apacherr310c.jpg
TVS Apache RR 310 is their latest 310 cc motorcycle
TVS Scooty Streak - one of the discontinued scooters of Scooty series TVS Scooty Streak.jpg
TVS Scooty Streak – one of the discontinued scooters of Scooty series
TVS also competes in the autorickshaw segment TVS tuktuk in Chennai.jpg
TVS also competes in the autorickshaw segment

Recent launches include the flagship model TVS Apache RR 310, the TVS Apache RTR 200, TVS Victor and TVS XL 100. TVS has recently won 4 top awards at J.D. Power Asia Pacific Awards 2016, 3 top awards at J.D. Power Asia Pacific Awards 2015 and Two-Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year at NDTV Car & Bike Awards (2014–15).

In early 2015, TVS Racing became the first Indian factory team to take part in the Dakar Rally, the world's longest and most dangerous rally. TVS Racing partnered with French motorcycle manufacturer Sherco, and named the team Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team. TVS Racing also won the Raid de Himalaya and the FOX Hill Super Cross held at Sri Lanka. In three decades of its racing history, TVS Racing has won over 90% of the races it participates in.

In 2016, TVS started manufacturing the BMW G310R, a model co-developed with BMW Motorrad after their strategic partnership in April 2013. In December 2018, the Hosur plant where the motorcycle is manufactured rolled out its 50,000th G310R series unit. [7]

On 6 December 2017, TVS launched their most-awaited motorcycle, the Apache RR 310 in an event at Chennai. The 310 cc motorcycle with an engine which was co-developed with BMW features the first ever full fairing on a TVS bike, dual-channel ABS, EFI, KYB suspension kits, etc. It is expected to rival bikes like KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 250SL, Bajaj Pulsar and Dominar and Honda CBR 250R after hitting the market. The Apache RR 310 is designed and realised entirely in India. [8]

On 17 April 2020, TVS Motor Company acquired Norton Motorcycle Company in an all cash deal. In the short term, they continued production of Norton 961 Commando motorcycles at Donington Park using existing staff. [9] The Donington factory has closed, and production of the uprated 961 is carried out at Solihull. [10] [11]

TVS in Nepal

Jagdamba Motors Pvt. Ltd. has been the official distributor of TVS Motors in Nepal since 15th September 2015 and operates under the Shanker Group. It is the 5th largest market share holder in Nepal. In 2018, it introduced the dual-channel ABS Apache RR310 whereas the 2019 Apache RR310 received upgrade. Later in 2022, the company debuted TVS Max 125 Semi-Trail and the Apache 160 2V with Apache RTR 200 4V. After mid-2023 the Raider 125 was launched. TVS introduced the Ronin 225 and Apache RTR 160 4V Special Editions bikes in the beginning of 2024. [12]

Characteristics of TVS Motor Company

It was the first Indian company to deploy a catalytic converter in a 100 cc motorcycle and the first to indigenously produce a four stroke motorcycle. The list of firsts from the firm include:

Current models

Awards and recognitions

TVS Motor won the Deming Application Prize in 2002. [14]

In the same year, the work done for the TVS Victor motorcycle made TVS Motor win the National Award for successful commercialization of indigenous technology from the Technology Development Board, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. [15] In 2004, TVS Scooty Pep won the 'Outstanding Design Excellence Award' from BusinessWorld magazine and the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

The effective implementation of Total Productivity Maintenance practices gave TVS Motor the TPM Excellence Award, given by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance in 2008.

The company's Chairman Emeritus, [16] Venu Srinivasan, was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Science degree by the University of Warwick, United Kingdom in 2004, [17] while the Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian distinctions in 2010. [18]

Innovative implementation of Information Technology has won TVS Motor the Ace Award for Most Innovative NetWeaver Implementation in 2007, awarded by technology major SAP AG, and the Team Tech 2007 Award of Excellence for Integrated use of Computer-aided engineering Technologies.

Himalayan Highs, an initiative launched by TVS Motor Company has been included in the India Book of Records when Anam Hashim became the first woman on a 110 cc scooter to complete the trip to Khardung La, the world's highest motorable stretch.

During an episode of The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond bought a brand new TVS Star HLS 100 cc "for £800" and used it to complete the Feed the world challenge, transporting fish 200 miles from Maputo to Bingo. During the journey, the bike performed beyond the presenter's expectations, prompting the normally motorbike-critical Clarkson to comment, "That Ewan McGregor travelled the world on a BMW GS – why didn't he just get one of these?"

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puch</span> Austrian vehicle manufacturing company

Puch is a manufacturing company located in Graz, Austria. The company was founded in 1899 by the industrialist Johann Puch and produced automobiles, bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. It was a subsidiary of the large Steyr-Daimler-Puch conglomerate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bajaj Pulsar</span> Range of motorcycles manufactured by Bajaj Auto

The Bajaj Pulsar is a range of motorcycles manufactured by Bajaj Auto in India. It was developed by the product engineering division of Bajaj Auto in association with Tokyo R&D, and later with motorcycle designer Glynn Kerr. A variant of the bike, the Pulsar 200NS was launched in 2012, but it was suspended for some time. With average monthly sales of around 86,000 units in 2011, Pulsar claimed a 2011 market share of 47% in its segment. By April 2012, more than five million units of Pulsar were sold. In 2018, they celebrated selling over ten million Pulsars backed an exclusive TV commercial and a marquee ride to in 6 cities to write "PULSAR" on a pre-defined route. The model is also sold as Rouser under other markets, such as South America.

The Deming Prize is the longest-running and one of the highest awards in the world. It recognizes both individuals for their contributions to the field of quality and businesses that have successfully implemented exemplary systems that promote quality of goods and services. It was established in 1951 to honor W. Edwards Deming who contributed greatly to Japan’s proliferation of statistical quality control after World War II. His teachings helped Japan build its foundation by which the level of Japan’s product quality has been recognized as the highest in the world, was originally designed to reward Japanese companies for major advances in quality improvement. Over the years it has grown, under the guidance of the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) to where it is now also available to non-Japanese companies, albeit usually operating in Japan, and also to individuals recognized as having made major contributions to the advancement of quality. The awards ceremony is broadcast every year in Japan on national television.

The automotive industry in India is the world's fourth-largest by production and valuation as per 2022 statistics. As of 2023, India is the 3rd largest automobile market in the world in terms of sales.

LML was an Indian scooter and motorcycle manufacturer formerly based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auto Expo</span> Biennial automotive show in India

The Auto Expo is a biennial automotive show held in Greater Noida, NCR, India.

BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand and division of German automotive manufacturer, BMW. It has produced motorcycles since 1923, and achieved record sales for the fifth year in succession in 2015. With a total of 136,963 vehicles sold in 2015, BMW registered a growth of 10.9% in sales in comparison with 2014. In May 2011, the 2,000,000th motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad was an R1200GS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVS Apache</span> Motorcycle

The TVS Apache is a brand of motorcycle made by TVS Motors since 2006. As of 2020, more than 4 million Apaches are on the road. Currently the company sells six variants of the TVS Apache. The differences between each variant being the engine displacement, the options on offer and performance characteristics. The abbreviation 'RTR' in the names of the motorcycles refer to 'Racing Throttle Response'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVS Scooty</span> Type of motorcycle

The TVS Scooty is a brand of Scooters made by TVS Motors of India. It is marketed mainly to women, and in 2009 was the largest selling brand among scooters aimed specifically at women buyers, selling about 25,000 units per month, compared to about 60,000 per month for the overall top selling scooter in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venu Srinivasan</span> Indian businessman

Venu Srinivasan is an Indian billionaire industrialist who is the chairman emeritus of two-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company and auto components manufacturer TVS Holdings. In addition, he serves on the board of Tata Sons and as one of the vice-chairmen of Tata Trusts. He received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in January 2020.

TVS Sport is a 110 cc motorcycle commuter bike manufactured in India by TVS Motor Company Ltd. Initially launched in 2007, it received updates in 2015 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVS Wego</span> Type of motorcycle

TVS Wego is a scooter manufactured by TVS Motor Company. It is a unisex, dual usage scooter and was introduced in 2010. After releasing several variants of TVS Scooty, the company entered the higher-end segment of the scooterette market by introducing Wego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport moped</span>

A sport moped is a moped that resembles a sport bike and often performs better than standard mopeds. They were created to circumvent UK legislation, called the "Sixteeners Laws", aimed at taking young motorcycle riders off the road. The new laws, introduced in 1971 by Conservative Party Minister for Transport John Peyton, forbade 16-year-olds from riding motorcycles of 250 cc (15 cu in) capacity, thus limiting them to 50 cc machines until they turned 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralf Speth</span> German automotive executive (born 1955)

Ralf Dieter Speth is a German automotive executive and a director of Indian company Tata Sons since 2016. From 2010 to 2020, he was the chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover. He has also had roles with BMW, Linde and Ford's Premier Automotive Group. Since 2022, Speth is the chairman of Indian Automaker TVS Motor Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW G 310 R</span> Standard motorcycle

The BMW G 310 R is an entry-level standard motorcycle developed jointly by BMW and TVS Motor Company of India. It is BMW's first, modern, low-end, sub-300 cc, beginner motorcycle sold under the BMW Motorrad brand. It debuted in November 2015 with global sales beginning in 2018.

TVS One Make Championship is an annual motorcycling event conducted by TVS Motor Company. The championship is conducted in five rounds organized at Madras Motor Race Track, Kari Motor Speedway and Buddh International Circuit. The One Make Championship is approved by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVS Apache RR 310</span> Sports bike

The TVS Apache RR 310 is a sport bike made by the TVS Motor Company in collaboration with BMW Motorrad that was launched in India on December 6, 2017. It uses a 312.2cc single-cylinder, four-stroke, SI, liquid-cooled, DOHC reverse inclined engine. It is rebadged by BMW Motorrad as G310 RR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW G 310 GS</span> Type of motorcycle

The BMW G 310 GS is a light-weight dual-sport motorcycle developed jointly by BMW and TVS Motor Company of India. It is a sister model of the BMW G 310 R.

References

  1. "TVS appoints Ralf Speth as chairman; Venu Srinivasan to continue as MD". 8 February 2022.
  2. "Sudarshan Venu elevated as new Managing Director of TVS Motor". 5 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "TVS Motor Q4 result: Net profit up 15% to Rs 387 cr, revenue jumps 25%". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "TVS Motor Company Ltd. Financial Statements". moneycontrol.com.
  5. "Sudarshan Venu appointed as MD of TVS Holdings". Financial Express. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  6. "Sundaram Clayton Company History". Moneycontrol. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  7. Sharma, Amit (13 December 2018). "TVS Rolls Out 50,000 Unit of The BMW G310R and G310 GS". India Car News. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  8. "TVS Apache RR 310 BS-VI Price, Features, Specifications and Colours".
  9. "Norton Motorcycles SOLD to Indian giant TVS for £16million". 17 April 2020.
  10. MCN review 2023-
  11. Staffordshire life review
  12. Shrestha, Sushmita (6 March 2024). "TVS Motors In Nepal | Everything You Need To Know [2024 Update] - Engine Gaadi" . Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  13. Chitte, Shubham (4 May 2023). "Which engine oil is most suitable for TVS Star City Plus?". Supergen Engine Oils. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  14. "TVS Motor bags Deming award".
  15. "Mitsubishi, sole agents for Valvoline car care products". Sunday Observer. 3 August 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  16. "TVS appoints Ralf Speth as chairman; Venu Srinivasan to continue as MD". Moneycontrol. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  17. Das, Swati (16 July 2004). "Warwick's doctorate to Venu Srinivasan". Times of India. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  18. "Padma Shri for Venu Srinivasan". The Hindu BusinessLine. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010.