TVS Motor Company also called TVS is an Indian motorcycle manufacturer carrying its business operations worldwide. It is the third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in terms of revenue in our country, with a revenue of $1.7 Billion in the year 2015-2016. It is also the second largest two-wheeler exporter in India with exports to more than 60 countries.
The company has an annual sales of over 2.5 million units and a capacity of over 3 million vehicles yearly.
TVS Motor Company is the supreme company of the TVS Group overall. The evolution of TVS Bikes is evidence of the brand’s unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries and setting new standards.
TVS Motor Company: History
Mr. TV Sundram Iyenger established TVS. He started his career with the first bus service provider in the year 1911. It was then a company with a large fleet of buses and trucks under the name Southern Roadways in the transportation business.
After the death of Mr. Iyenger in 1955, his sons took the company ahead with several forays in the automobile sector, which included the manufacture of two-wheelers, tires, and other components, finance, and insurance.
Early Years
In the year 1962, the company collaborated with Clayton Dewandre Holdings, United Kingdom, and founded Sundaram Clayton which later manufactured brakes, compressors, exhausts, and other automotive parts.
The company later set up a plant in the year 1978 at Hosur, Tamil Nadu to manufacture mopeds as a part of their new division.
Later on, the company collaborated with Suzuki Bikes, the Japanese auto giant. With the help of the collaboration the joint venture formed between Sundaram Clayton Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Relationship with Suzuki
TVS and Suzuki Ltd shared a great bond of 19 years. It was aimed at transferring the technology to enable the manufacture and design of two-wheelers specifically for the Indian market.
The company launched various models in India like Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Supra, Suzuki Shogun, and Suzuki Shaolin. In 2001, the company separated its ways with Suzuki Ltd and renamed itself “TVS Motors”.
TVS Motor: Timeline Over the Years
In the year 2002, TVS Motor Company Ltd informed that the Board declared an interim dividend of Rs 9.00 per share on 2,31,00,070 equity shares of Rs 10/- each fully paid up, aggregating to Rs 231.00 million.
In the year 2003, TVS Motor Company recorded a market share of 35% from the TVS Bikes division.TVS, Bajaj Auto, and Yamaha have grabbed the market share from the country’s largest motorcycle maker Hero Honda.
In the year 2004, TVS Motor, on Jan 5 launched a TVS Bike Centra, a 100 cc four-stroke bike, with variable timing intelligent (VTI) engines, claiming to give more mileage to consumers.
In the year 2005, TVS Motor Company introduced its entry-level 4-stroke motorcycle – TVS Star – in the Kerala market.
The company rolls out two motorcycle variants named TVS Victor EDGE, TVS StaR City, and TVS Scooty Pep Plus.
In the year 2006, The company launched Apache in Vizag.
TVS Motor Company launched a new version of the 125 cc Victor GLX with an electric start option.
In the year 2007, TVS Motor Co rolled out seven new vehicles including a new 125cc bike.
In the year 2009, the company launched Scooty Streak, which is its latest scooterette targeted at girls of 16 to 20 age group.
In the year 2010, Company launched India’s first auto-clutch TVS bike known as TVS Jive, in Chandigarh.
In the year 2013, TVS and BMW Motorrad signed a Cooperation Agreement – India’s TVS Motor Company to set up an assembly line in Uganda.
In the year 2014, TVS Motor Company launches TVS TRU4 Synthetic 10W 30 Engine Oil.
The company also launched Stylish TVS StaR City+.
In the year 2015, The company launched a new TVS Bike – the 2015 edition of TVS Phoenix 125 for the drum version and the disc brake version.
The company launched its bike “TVS Sport” with improved mileage and additional features.
In the year 2016, The company launched All New TVS Victor and TVS Apache RTR 200 in India.
Also, the organization launched the Powerful Four Stroke TVS XL 100 in the country.
In the year 2017,
“TVS Motor Company clocks sales of 207,059 units in January 2017”.
The company Launched BSIV-compliant TVS Jupiter with 2 new colors.
In the year 2018,
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, a sport bike in the TVS Bikes segment launched.
The company launched its new 110cc motorbike, TVS Radeon.
It introduces the TVS NTORQ 125 scooter in Sri Lanka.
In the year 2019, TVS Motor Company launches an ethanol-powered bike.
In the year 2020, The company acquired Norton Motorcycle Company in an all-cash deal. They later continued the production of motorcycles in the U.K. using the same staff.
TVS Motor ties up with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation in the Philippines.
Later in the year, It launched the 2020 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V in Nepal.
In the year 2021, The company introduced TVS intelli-GO technology with TVS Jupiter 125.
TVS Motor launches scooter iQube Electric in Delhi.
TVS Motor partners with Tata Power to implement EV charging infrastructure.
In the year 2022, TVS Motor Company launched Tech Loaded TVS Ntorq 125 XT.
TVS Motor Company launches the all-new TVS RONIN.
TVS Motor: Milestones and Achievements
- TVS Motor became the first company in the Indian automobile industry to launch a 2-seater 50cc moped – TVS50 in the year 1980.
- In the year 1984, TVS becomes the first Indian company to launch 100cc Indo-Japanese commuter motorcycles.
- The company launched the country’s first 100cc aromatic scooters in the year 1994, especially for the mobility of women in India – TVS Scooty.
- Later on, in the year 2002, the company became the world’s first two-wheeler company to win the Deming Award – the most prestigious recognition in Total Quality Management.
TVS Motor Company: Present
After separating ways with Suzuki Ltd, TVS Motors continued their operations of manufacturing and selling two-wheelers in the Indian market for Indian consumers.
Mission of the company
Now the company’s mission is to be one of the leading companies in the world in the chosen business segments, providing the best mobility solutions.
Vision of the company
The company now has a vision to transform the quality of life of people living across the world by providing them with mobility solutions that are exciting, responsible, sustainable as well as safe.
Current Directors and CEO
At present, K.N. Radhakrishnan is the Director and CEO of the company.
He started his career as a management trainee at Sundaram-Clayton Limited and later held the position of Executive Vice President followed by President and CEO of the company.
With decades of experience in leadership skills, he has played a very important role in transforming the company to become a reputed two-wheeler manufacturer in India and among the top 10 two-wheeler manufacturers globally.
Current Lineup Of Products –
- TVS Apache RR 310
- TVS Apache RTR Series
- TVS Apache RTR 310
- TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
- TVS Apache RTR 160 4V
- TVS Apache RTR 160
- TVS Apache RTR 180
- TVS Apache RTR 165RP
- TVS Ronin 225
- TVS Raider 125
- TVS Radeon
- TVS Sport
- TVS Star City Plus
- TVS iQube
- TVS iQube S
- TVS iQube ST
- TVS X
- TVS Scooty
- TVS Scooty Pep+
- TVS Scooty ZEST 110
- TVS Jupiter 110
- TVS Jupiter 125
- TVS Ntorq 125
- TVS XL100
- TVS XL100 Comfort
- TVS XL100 Heavy Duty
- TVS XL100 Comfort i-TOUCH start
- TVS XL100 Heavy Duty i-TOUCH start
- TVS XL100 Win Edition
- TVS King Deluxe
- TVS King Duramax
- TVS King Kargo
Market Presence
TVS Motors has established a robust market presence both domestically in India and internationally. In India, it holds a significant market share in the two-wheeler segment, consistently ranking among the top players. The company has a widespread distribution network across the country, with a strong presence in urban as well as rural areas, catering to diverse consumer preferences.
Internationally, TVS Motors has also expanded its footprint across several countries, leveraging strategic partnerships and alliances to penetrate new markets. Its competitive positioning is bolstered by a reputation for quality, reliability, and innovative product offerings, allowing it to compete effectively with both domestic and international players in the automotive industry.
Financial Performance
The net profit of the company stood at Rs 7,284 Million for the year 2022 which was up 18.4% compared to Rs 6,153 m reported in FY21. This compares to a net profit of Rs 6,554 m in FY20 and a net profit of Rs 7,237 m in FY19.
Over the past 5 years, TVS MOTOR’s net profit has grown at a CAGR of 2.3%.
Distribution
Presently, TVS Motor operates an extensive network inclusive of over 4000 touch points, strategically spread across every state in India.
Manufacturing Capability
TVS Motors has four manufacturing plants at present. Three of them are located in India – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh. The company now has a production capacity of more than 3 million vehicles per year.
Corporate Strategy
- TVS Motors’ current corporate strategy emphasizes innovation, efficiency, and expansion.
- In research and development, the company invests significantly to develop cutting-edge technologies and enhance product offerings.
- Manufacturing operations focus on lean processes and agile production methods to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Marketing efforts are targeted towards building brand equity and connecting with diverse consumer segments.
- Expansion plans include geographic diversification and strategic alliances to access new markets and drive sustainable growth.
Future
The future of TVS Motors promises continued innovation and sustainability. With a focus on electric vehicles, connected technologies, and green initiatives, the company aims to lead the transition towards a cleaner and more efficient mobility ecosystem. Strategic partnerships and investments in emerging markets further solidify TVS Motors’ position as an industry frontrunner.
TVS Upcoming Bikes and Scooters
- TVS Apache RTR 200 Fi 4V E100
- TVS Norton Combat
- TVS Zepellin
- TVS BS6 Apache RR310
- TVS Retron
- TVS Fiero 125
- TVS ADV
- TVS Creon
Conclusion
TVS Motors has come a very long way since its inception in 1978. The company’s focus on innovation, customer-centric products, and international expansion has helped it establish a strong presence in the Indian automobile industry. With a diverse product portfolio that caters to the needs of different customer segments in the country, TVS Motors is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for two-wheelers and three-wheelers in the industry.
