Everything you need to know about India’s third largest bikemaker
In recent years, the only Indian manufacturer that has successfully taken the fight to International companies is the one and only TVS Motor Company.
With regular updates, bang-for-buck pricing, and segment-leading features, TVS has well and truly shown everyone what Indian manufacturers are capable of truly capable of.
But how did it get here? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll be telling you in this story.
The Start Line
TVS first started in 1911 as a transport company and then tied up with UK-based Clayton to enter the automotive manufacturing scene
The beginning of TVS Motor Company takes us back to the early 90s, when Thirukkurungudi Vengaram Sundram (TVS) Iyengar began Madurai’s first-ever bus and transport service, under the name of Southern Roadways.
Fast forward 50 years to 1962 and Sundaram joined hands with UK-based Clayton Dewandare Holdings, forming Sundaram Clayton, a company that manufactured automotive parts like brakes, exhausts, and compressors.
After a while, the company joined hands with leading Japanese company Suzuki to give us many popular two-wheelers
From manufacturing only parts, the company planned to fully manufacture mopeds and accordingly set up a manufacturing plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu for the same in 1976. And just four years later, TVS introduced its first-ever two-wheeler, the TVS 50.
Owing to the moped’s success, Sundaram Clayton joined hands with Japanese giant Suzuki in 1987 and began manufacturing commercial products two years later, in 1989.
However, the TVS-Suzuki partnership was quite short-lived, even though it birthed motorcycles like the Suzuki Samurai and the Suzuki Shaolin. The two companies parted ways in 2001 and TVS-Suzuki was renamed TVS Motor. And after this, there was no stopping TVS.
TVS Motors – Best Bikes & Scooters
However, the two companies split in 2001 and TVS-Suzuki was renamed to TVS Motor
Post parting ways, TVS Motor really started its onslaught in the Indian two-wheeler industry. With numerous ‘firsts’ under its belt, the company soon became one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in the world.
Some of the company’s most famous products are:
- TVS Victor – First fully indigenous Indian bike
- TVS NTorq – First Indian scooter with smartphone connectivity
- TVS Raider – First 125cc Indian motorcycle with ride modes
- TVS Apache series – First Indian-made motorcycle with ABS
After that, there was no stopping TVS and it gave us many firsts in the two-wheeler industry. One example is this, the Apache RR 310, the only Indian bike to compete in the 300cc sportbike category
Along with all this, TVS also introduced the Apache RR 310, built in conjunction with BMW Motorrad, which is currently the only Indian motorcycle able to take on the class-leading KTM RC 390.
Not to forget, its smaller Apache lineup comprising the RTR 160, RTR 160 4V, RTR 180, and the RTR 200 4V are some of the most bang-for-buck motorcycles one can buy in India right now. And this is well reflected in the sales numbers too.
TVS Motor – Racing Pedigree
With mass-market products, TVS also has a huge foothold in the Indian racing industry
While focussing on mass-market products, TVS also had a stronghold in the Indian motorsport world. Having started its racing stint as early as 1982, TVS Racing has organized numerous one-make championships, media races, and has also helped pave the way for upcoming talents with its own racing schools.
To add to this, TVS Racing was the first Indian factory to take part in the world-renowned Dakar Rally.
TVS Motor CEO & Manufacturing Plans
TVS Motor is currently headed by Chairman and Managing Director Venu Srinivasan alongside Joint Managing Director Sudarshan Venu.
In 2020, TVS acquired Norton Motorcycles in an all-cash deal and intends to restart the once-renowned two-wheeler company.
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As for manufacturing, TVS has four two-wheeler plants situated in Hosur (Tamil Nadu), Mysore (Karnataka), Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh), and one in Indonesia. Thanks to these, the company has a massive annual production capacity of over 4.95 million two-wheelers.
Meanwhile, the company also has a separate three-wheeler manufacturing plant in Hosur, with a 1.5 lakh annual manufacturing capacity.
What Lies In TVS Motor’s Future
In the future, the company will expand its lineup by introducing more class-leading products like the Creon electric scooter
TVS has a lot planned for the future. Firstly, TVS is expected to introduce more electric two-wheelers soon, one of which will be a sport e-scooter called the Creon. Next, the Hosur-based company is likely to launch a cruiser and scrambler motorcycle, likely to be called the TVS Retron and Zeppelin R, respectively.
Apart from this, the company, like it’s done in the recent past, will continue to introduce regular updates for its existing models to stay ahead of its rivals.
Keyword: TVS Motor Company History