Q: How will synchronisation take place?

Raghavan: There are three significant areas where synchronisation will happen. One is on the supply chain, second on digital solution portfolios, and the third is the common process and policies of franchisees management and marketing. At least, in the short term, both companies will keep their own brand identities.

Q: Multi-brand car service is yet to become a profitable business in India. What does make you so bullish on the industry?

Raghavan: Profitability must be looked in a time perspective. It (multi-brand car service) is a very nascent business in India. It captures three things. One you have to change the cultural behaviour of the garages so all entrepreneurial will work. Second, you need to improve the productivity through adoption of technologies which the industry has not been using, and the third is you should able to have your supply chain right so that you can deliver spare parts on-demand at the reasonable costs. These all three elements, TVS has done in its ASPL businesses. Having the background of spare parts business, TVS ASPL has established a parts supply-chain to take a leadership position in however the small market it is as of now.

We strongly believe the three competencies - digital technology, parts and digital marketing, drive businesses and bring profitability in the garages. TVS ASPL has achieved profitability in that part of the business.

Q: Procurement of spare parts is the biggest challenge in the business? How do you deal with this challenge?

Raghavan: The focus is to access to spare parts. Your knowledge of parts says what are the choices of parts available. TVS has been historically in spare parts business so we have digitised and developed one of its kinds of catalogue which automatically cross-checks the differences to make the model engine and then which are the alternative parts you can use. The knowledge is very critical if you want to supply parts within committed time.

Q: What about investment in digital marketing and digitisation in the business?

Raghavan: It is city-wise; you need to determine where do you want to invest based upon your requirements. With this acquisition, once you got pan India coverage, your marketing costs and transactions get reduced drastically because the cost gets covered in wider geographic coverage and larger interest.

Q: Did you see an increase in the business post lockdown?

Raghavan: I will put into two different angles. If you ask if the business has come back to the pre-COVID stage, I will say yes. If asked, whether the business has been affected by COVID, I would say yes, it has been impacted at a large extent.

We strongly believe in developing an ecosystem where you will be able to help when there are growth opportunities. For example, for some of the franchisees, we have worked with NBFCs and banking to offer financial services and solutions. I would say, the business has come back to the pre COVID stage, but there are exceptions. The white-collar workforce, which is mostly not going to the office but working from home, so to that extent, the service and parts business of ours come down. But the two-wheeler business has picked up and is growing much faster than the pre- COVID stage. Making this business organised and lending to the brand name to it gives more confidence to customers to go to these franchisees for incremental services.

Q: How is the partnership with Google shaping up?

Raghavan: Google partnership is live. The ease of digital adaptation has increased, so I do not have to go physically to roll out solutions to garages. They can download from google and implement it. We have moved all our solutions on google cloud, and by January, our marketplace should be up for google. Any retailers or garages can download our digital solution and start implementing it.

Q: What is the role of digitalisation in aftermarket business?

Raghavan: Digitalisation can be looked at from three perspectives. One is as enablement through digital technologies. Garages can have our service management platforms and keep tracking the consumers’ behaviour, such as what repairs he did. The second, we have developed the AI algorithm to find what kind of services the customers need. Instead of recommending service for the core vehicle, can he replace his clutch or overhaul his air-conditioner or he should replace his brake pads. That’s where we can drive more trust of customers that I am monitoring the health of your vehicle. The third one is getting the vehicle diagnosed first time right. (MT)

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Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.

Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.

His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.

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TVS Supply Chain Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan-based Sankyu Inc. to collaborate across supply chain and engineering services.

As part of the agreement, Sankyu intends to acquire a 0.5 percent equity stake in TVS Supply Chain Solutions, subject to regulatory approvals.

The partnership combines TVS Supply Chain Solutions' logistics network in India with Sankyu's engineering capabilities and corporate connections in Japan. Initial operations will focus on serving manufacturing and industrial clients in India, where over 1,400 Japanese companies operate.

Future plans include expanding joint operations into regions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and additional international markets where both firms hold established infrastructure.

To manage operations under the agreement, the companies will form a joint steering committee with representatives from both organisations to identify operational opportunities and oversee joint initiatives.

R. Dinesh, Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This partnership represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen our capabilities and create greater value for customers. Sankyu's engineering expertise and deep relationships across the Japanese industrial ecosystem complement TVS Supply Chain Solutions' integrated supply chain capabilities, strong customer relationships and market presence. We share a strong commitment to long-term value creation, and together we are well positioned to deliver more comprehensive solutions, support the evolving needs of manufacturing and industrial customers, and unlock new growth opportunities across India and other strategic markets.”

Kimihiro Nakamura, President and CEO, Sankyu Inc, said, "Since our inception in 1918, Sankyu has been dedicated to supporting the progress of the manufacturing sector, underpinned by our core philosophy of valuing our people. We are profoundly honoured to enter into this partnership with TVS SCS, an organisation that shares our philosophy and commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our two companies possess a strong strategic alignment, and by integrating and complementing our respective strengths, we look forward to achieving collective growth in the global market and contributing to sustainable industrial development."

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Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has expanded the role of its India Chief Executive Officer, Tapan Ghosh, to oversee operations in Indonesia, uniting the company's management structure across both regional markets.

Interestingly, Ghosh becomes Chief Executive Officer for VinFast Operations across both countries, making him the first executive from India to manage multiple markets for the Vietnamese company.

Since joining the Vietnamese brand in 2025 from Hyundai Motor India, Ghosh has managed local manufacturing setups, dealership distribution expansion and product strategies. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the development of a complete knock-down (CKD) assembly operation in Indonesia.

The dual-country manufacturing and distribution setup establishes operational hubs for VinFast across South Asia and Southeast Asia, supporting its strategy to expand production beyond Vietnam.

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Chinese automotive major Geely Automobile Holdings has announced changes to its board of directors and executive leadership structure, effective 18 August 2026, as part of its succession planning framework.

Li Shu Fu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director to focus on other business commitments. He has accepted an appointment as Honorary Chairman for Life, a role outside the formal corporate governance structure. Li remains a controlling shareholder of the company and confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board regarding his departure.

On the other hand, Executive Director An Cong Hui has been appointed Chairman of the Board. The board cited An's operational experience within the group and strategic alignment with the controlling shareholder entity as factors supporting the appointment. Independent non-executive directors will continue to oversee potential conflict management protocols under Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing rules.

Further board adjustments include the resignation of Li Dong Hui, Daniel, from the role of Vice-Chairman. He retains his seat as an Executive Director. Gui Sheng Yue has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.

Following Gui's transition, Executive Director Gan Jia Yue has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Gan assumes responsibility for managing the group's operational activities and executing long-term business objectives.

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