One of the most significant decisions Venu Srinivasan made early on was to strike out on his own, establishing TVS Motor as a quality-driven global brand.

"Being one of the earliest companies outside of Japan to win the Deming Prize in 2002 and be recognised for quality made it easier for high-quality companies to recognise us as a worthy partner," recalled the winner of the ET Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I feel deeply humbled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award," he told ET. "There's a deep sense of fulfilment when your peers recognise your contribution, and the recognition that TVS Motor has become a globally respected company is incredibly satisfying."

In his 44 years at the helm of the company, Srinivasan built TVS Motor into the fourth-largest two-wheeler maker in the world with a presence in over 80 markets.

"Joining such a club and being recognised worldwide is certainly my most satisfying achievement," he said.

Srinivasan belongs to the family of TV Sundram Iyengar, founder of the TVS Group, which was established in 1911.

The Deming Prize reflected the company's commitment to excellence, opening the doors to several high-profile collaborations with global giants such as BMW and Hyundai. "Some of these partnerships are co-designing initiatives, while others involve manufacturing to their design specifications," Srinivasan said. These have been a testament to the company's world-class processes and the high standards of the company. Some of the fruits of these partnerships will begin to materialise in products by 2026, including BMW's new motorcycle engine and Hyundai's last-mile mobility vehicles, a concept that was unveiled at the recent Bharat Mobility motor show.

TVS Motor has a significant presence not just in India, but across the globe-Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, India to Nepal, and stretching across Africa to Europe and South America. Srinivasan noted that the two-wheeler industry in India still has a long way to go, given the low penetration rates. This presents a massive opportunity for growth.

Does the company plan an entry into bigger vehicles?

"I don't think TVS Motor will ever really make a car," he told ET. "Not in my lifetime, at least. Perhaps a quadricycle, but that's as far as it will go."

He elaborated on the enormous potential of electric mobility, ranging from scooters for deliveries to bicycles for recreation and commuting.

"Bicycles may have disappeared in India, but with the growing need for exercise and the ever-increasing traffic, I believe electric bicycles are a great opportunity," he said.

Srinivasan's leadership extends beyond TVS Motor. He currently serves as chairman of the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), an institution that promotes quality as a way of life. He's also a Tata Sons board member and a key member of the Tata Trusts, as well as a director on the central board of the Reserve Bank of India.

His goal is clear: "We want to make Made in India synonymous with quality, just as South Korea and Germany are now recognised for their high standards."

Apart from the Deming Prize, the company has been a consistent number one in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction rankings for the past seven years. "Our ultimate goal is to be the highest in customer satisfaction, and I believe what pleases customers most, is the quality we deliver," Srinivasan said.

Reflecting on TVS Motor's journey, Srinivasan remembers a defining moment from over 30 years ago when the company parted ways with Suzuki. The split was prompted by differing ambitions, and many questioned how TVS Motor would fare without the Suzuki brand name. However, Srinivasan and his team were confident in their ability to produce high-quality products, even if they weren't yet "exciting".

"We knew we could do well with our engineering and our own brand name, and we've proven that," he said. "That was certainly a critical time, an inflection point for the company."

The TVS Motor range now includes powerful bikes such as the Apache and the Ronin.

"We make some of the most exciting products in the business," Srinivasan said.

Son Sudarshan, the current managing director, has played a crucial role in this transformation.

"Sudarshan has really led the charge in ensuring that TVS Motor leads not just in product quality, but also in style and design," said Srinivasan. "We're also moving faster than ever before. We're now a much faster company than we were 10 years ago in terms of innovation, product speed, and execution."

He points to the company's achievements in innovation, such as the moped, which for over 40 years has carried everything from two people to 200 litres of milk. "Innovation has been cutting edge, and it will continue to be," he emphasised. Another example of the company's pioneering spirit is the TVS iQube, one of the earliest electric vehicles that today ranks among the top three electric scooters in the market.

"We're doing very well with the iQube, and I'm sure many more innovations will follow," he said.

TVS Motor saw ebitda margin rise to a peak of 14.32% in FY24 from 5.39% in FY14. In the December quarter, the margin stood at 15.4% compared with 14.7% in the same period last year. Market share rose to 19% in FY25 from 14% in FY20.

Srinivasan said the key to success lies in the people of TVS Motor.

"Our success is not because of the decisions I made or will make, but because we have a whole family of people who stand by the company," he said. "They give their life, sweat, and tears for the company. The recognition I am receiving is really theirs."

As TVS Motor continues to grow, innovate, and lead the way in quality and customer satisfaction, Srinivasan's legacy remains firmly entrenched in the company's success-a story of unwavering commitment and a vision that transcends generations.

The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence 2025 will be presented on Saturday, March 8, in Mumbai.