As the visionary leader behind TVS Motor Co, “apart from building an outstanding business, Venu did outstanding CSR (corporate social responsibility) work. He was also on the Tata Trust boards,” said one juror.
Srinivasan said this award was a testament not only to his leadership but also to the unwavering dedication of his entire team at TVS Motor. “This recognition is very special when it comes from ET, India’s largest circulated business newspaper,” he said, attributing his success to the tireless efforts of his colleagues.
Srinivasan’s leadership journey began at age 27, just two years into the family business, when he took over as CEO of TVS Motor in 1979. Stepping into the role of an owner-chief executive without a prior apprenticeship was daunting. Over the next four decades, his determination, perseverance, and far-sighted approach helped TVS Motor become the world’s fourth-largest two-wheeler manufacturer by volume and the third-most valued by market capitalization.
TVS Motor’s annual revenue now exceeds $4.5 billion, and it has a presence in over 80 countries. In FY24, TVS Motor sold four million two- and three-wheelers, including nearly 195,000 electric vehicles.
Srinivasan’s decision in 2001 to end TVS Motor’s 19-year JV with Suzuki and focus on building in-house R&D capabilities set the company on the path of self-reliance and innovation. It now makes vehicles for both Indian and international markets.His commitment to quality and excellence was evident long before many Indian companies embraced it. A pioneer of Total Quality Management (TQM) based on the Japanese model, Srinivasan led TVS Motor to win the prestigious Deming Application Prize in 2002 — an unparalleled achievement in India.The company’s consistency in quality has been demonstrated through top rankings in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, winning seven out of ten categories in 2024.
Srinivasan’s global vision for TVS Motor drove its export focus, with the establishment of manufacturing plants in countries such as Indonesia. An important milestone was the partnership with BMW Motorrad, which allowed TVS to become a key player in the overseas market by supplying 300cc products for BMW’s portfolio. Today, nearly 30% of TVS Motor’s production is exported.
Srinivasan also led the acquisition of the iconic British brand Norton in 2020, making TVS one of the few Indian firms to own a storied global brand. The first Norton product under TVS Motor’s ownership is expected to launch in 2025.
