Vikram Kirloskar, key to Toyota’s India foray, dies
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Eminent industrialist and Toyota Kirloskar Motor vice chairman Vikram S Kirloskar, who was instrumental in bringing Japanese auto major Toyota to India, died due to a heart attack on Tuesday. He was 64.
“We are extremely saddened to inform about the untimely demise of Vikram S. Kirloskar, vice chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on November 29, 2022. At this time of grief, we request everyone to pray that his soul rests in peace,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said.
Last respects were paid to Kirloskar at the Hebbal Crematorium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Kirloskar suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning and was rushed to a private hospital, where he passed away.
A mechanical engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vikram Kirloskar played a key role in establishing the joint venture between the Japanese auto major Toyota Motor Company and the Kirloskar Group.
The joint venture, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, became operational in 1997 and now rolls out models such as Fortuner and Urban Cruiser Hyryder from its Bidadi-based manufacturing facility.
The plant has an installed capacity to roll out 3.10 lakh units per annum.
Kirloskar is survived by his wife Geetanjali Kirloskar and daughter Manasi Kirloskar. He held various leadership positions in several industry bodies.
He was the president of auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2013-2015 and also the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry between 2019 and 2020.
SIAM president Vinod Aggarwal said the entire automobile industry is shocked and deeply saddened at the tragic demise of Kirloskar.
Kirloskar had been chairing the SIAM Passenger Vehicle CEOs Council, Aggarwal pointed out.
“Kirloskar contributed immensely to the growth of the Indian auto industry and emphasised on the need for making India a robust auto manufacturing hub. He has always been passionate for all round development of the industry and aligning them with the national goals for the good of the economy, environment sustainability and the society,” Aggarwal said.