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.svg24,388 crore (US$3.1 billion) (2022) [3]
Increase2.svg1,064 crore (US$130 million) (2022) [3]
Increase2.svg728 crore (US$91 million) (2022) [3]
Total assets Increase2.svg27,072 crore (US$3.4 billion) (2022) [3]
Total equity Increase2.svg4,399 crore (US$550 million) (2022) [3]
Number of employees
5,133 (2020) [3]
Parent Sundaram - Clayton Limited (57.40%)
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 in terms of revenue just after the Hero Motorcorp and Honda Motorcyle and Scooter India (HMSI). 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. The logo for TVS Motor Company features a red horse.

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. [4]

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 3 Wheeler segment TVS tuktuk in Chennai.jpg
TVS also competes in the 3 Wheeler 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. [5]

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. [6]

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. [7] The Donington factory has closed, and production of the uprated 961 is carried out at Solihull. [8] [9]

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. As the distributor of TVS, a renowned Indian two-wheeler manufacturer with a legacy dating back to 1979, Jagdamba Motors has played a pivotal role in establishing TVS as a prominent player in the Nepalese market. The brand's diverse product portfolio, spanning Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds, and Auto Rickshaws, includes the popular TVS Apache RTR model and Jupiter, contributing to its position as the 5th largest market share holder in Nepal. Similarly, in 2018, it introduced the dual-channel ABS Apache RR310 whereas the 2019 Apache RR310 received upgrade. Later in 2022, the company quietly debuted TVS Max 125 Semi-Trail and the Apache 160 2V with Apache RTR 200 4V offered  sportier graphics and wider tires. After mid-2023 the Raider 125 with BS6 features and a carburetor engine was launched while just recently, TVS introduced the Ronin 225 and Apache RTR 160 4V Special Editions bikes in the beginning of the 2024. [10]

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. [12]

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. [13] 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, [14] Venu Srinivasan, was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Science degree by the University of Warwick, United Kingdom in 2004, [15] while the Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian distinctions in 2010. [16]

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

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<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">Scooter (motorcycle)</span> Low-speed motorcycle

A scooter is a motorcycle with an underbone or step-through frame, a seat, a transmission that shifts without the operator having to operate a clutch lever, a platform for the rider's feet, and with a method of operation that emphasizes comfort and fuel economy. Elements of scooter design were present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motor scooters have been made since at least 1914. More recently, scooters have evolved to include scooters exceeding 250cc classified as Maxi-scooters.

<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 industrialist. He is Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company, one of the leading manufacturers of two-wheelers in the world and Sundaram-Clayton Limited, a leading manufacturer of auto components in India. He also serves on the board of Tata Sons Ltd., the holding company of the conglomerate the Tata Group and TVS & Sons. He is a Director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India. He is also Vice Chairman of Tata Trusts. Tata Trusts holds 66% of the equity capital of Tata Sons. He was conferred the Padma Bhushan Award, the third Highest civilian award in India, in January 2020.

<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">TVS Jupiter</span> Type of motorcycle

TVS Jupiter is a variomatic scooter launched in September 2013 by India's TVS Motor Company. The launch of the scooter marked the company's entry into the part of the market that mainly targets females. This Variomatic Scooter is launched as a rival for Honda Activa.

<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">TVS Ntorq 125</span> Type of motorcycle

TVS Ntorq 125 is a motor scooter manufactured by TVS Motor Company in India. It is powered by a single cylinder, four stroke, 3 valve, TVS and delivers 6.9 kW at 7500 rpm. The scooter delivers a pick-up of 0 to 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The scooter 125 requires approximately 800 ml of engine oil. The scooter has a top speed of 95 km/h as per the manufacturer. It is TVS’ first 125 cc scooter with connectivity - Bluetooth enabled.

<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 4 5 6 "TVS Motor Company Ltd. Financial Statements". moneycontrol.com.
  4. "Sundaram Clayton Company History". Moneycontrol. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  5. 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.
  6. "TVS Apache RR 310 BS-VI Price, Features, Specifications and Colours".
  7. "Norton Motorcycles SOLD to Indian giant TVS for £16million". 17 April 2020.
  8. MCN review 2023-
  9. Staffordshire life review
  10. Shrestha, Sushmita (6 March 2024). "TVS Motors In Nepal | Everything You Need To Know [2024 Update] - Engine Gaadi" . Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  11. Chitte, Shubham (4 May 2023). "Which engine oil is most suitable for TVS Star City Plus?". Supergen Engine Oils. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  12. "TVS Motor bags Deming award".
  13. "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.
  14. "TVS appoints Ralf Speth as chairman; Venu Srinivasan to continue as MD". Moneycontrol. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  15. Das, Swati (16 July 2004). "Warwick's doctorate to Venu Srinivasan". Times of India. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  16. "Padma Shri for Venu Srinivasan". The Hindu BusinessLine. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010.