23 April 2024

Bajaj Auto Announces Leadership Changes to Drive Technological Innovation

• Chetak Technology Ltd. announces the appointment of Mr. Abraham Joseph as Managing Director
• Bajaj Auto Ltd. announces the appointment of Mr. Ramtilak Ananthan as Chief Technology Officer

Pune, India, 23rd April 2024 – Bajaj Auto Ltd., the world’s most valuable 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler company, today announced key leadership changes designed to accelerate technological innovation and further strengthen its position in existing and emerging mobility segments.

Chetak Technology Ltd. Gears Up for High-Tech Transformation

Bajaj Auto has announced the appointment of Mr. Abraham Joseph as the Managing Director of Chetak Technology Ltd., its wholly owned subsidiary. Chetak Technology Ltd. has been a pioneer in the field of Electric Vehicles, driving innovation and agility in this hyper-competitive market, and Mr. Joseph, a Bajaj Auto veteran with over 35 years of experience, will play a pivotal role in its transformation.

Under his leadership, the company will pivot to become a high-tech organization focused on developing core competencies across the spectrum of cutting-edge automotive technologies. CTL will explore the potential of hydrogen vehicles, further expanding Bajaj Auto's ability to deliver technologically differentiated products. This move comes after the successful development and launch of differentiated product offerings like the Chetak electric scooter and EV 3-wheelers and solidifying Chetak's collaborative efforts with emerging players in the shared mobility market, like Yulu.

Abraham Joseph has had an incredibly successful stint at BAL as CTO, where he has been instrumental in leading the development of iconic brands like Pulsar and overseeing the creation of numerous standout products across various segments, including Platina, CT, Boxer, Discover, V, Avenger, and Dominar. These products have established a solid foundation for Bajaj Auto as a beloved Indian and global brand.

Under his guidance, Bajaj Auto R&D has achieved significant milestones, including the development of innovative three-wheeler products for both cargo and passenger segments, spanning various fuel variants such as Petrol, Diesel, LPG, CNG & Electric. Moreover, India's first quadricycle, Qute, was launched under his leadership. With a focus on innovation, Bajaj Auto R&D has attracted partnerships with industry leaders like KTM, Austria, and Triumph Motorcycles, UK.

In the past six years, Mr. Joseph has played a key role in establishing and expanding the EV R&D organization from the ground up, i.e., the Chetak Technology R&D. He has successfully developed the Chetak R&D organization, ensuring it possesses the appropriate capabilities, infrastructure, and technology to drive future success.With a wealth of experience in building a leading technology organization, Mr. Joseph is well-equipped to guide Chetak and its leaders toward becoming a dominant force that continues to disrupt and push the frontiers of innovation in the evolving EV landscape.

Appointment of a technology stalwart like Mr. Joseph as Managing Director of Chetak Technology Ltd underscores the deep commitment Bajaj Auto has towards Electric Vehicles as well as technology leadership.

Mr. Ramtilak Ananthan takes the helm at Bajaj Auto R&D

Mr. Ramtilak Ananthan will assume the role of Chief Technology Officer for Bajaj Auto Ltd. A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience at Bajaj Auto, Mr. Ananthan brings a wealth of knowledge in product development and testing.

A seasoned leader with over 30 years at Bajaj Auto, Ramtilak Ananthan boasts a distinguished academic background with an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, USA. Throughout his career at Bajaj Auto, Mr. Ananthan has demonstrated exceptional leadership. In 2013, he was promoted to Vice President – R&D, where he spearheaded the successful transition of all Bajaj Auto products to BS4 norms. Later, in 2019, he assumed the role of Head – Test & Validation, overseeing the complete Test & Validation function. His strategic foresight and proven ability to navigate technological shifts were instrumental in leading the transition of all Bajaj Auto products to BS6 and OBD2A norms.

Bajaj Auto has a long-standing commitment to developing highly differentiated ICE platforms across motorcycles and three-wheelers, encompassing various fuel variants and blends. This expertise has facilitated strong partnerships with KTM, Austria, and Triumph, UK, expanding product offerings and carving profitable niche segments.

About Bajaj Auto Ltd.:

With over 21 million motorcycles sold in over 79 countries, the Bajaj brand is truly “The World’s Favourite Indian." It is India’s No. 1 motorcycle exporter, with two out of three bikes sold internationally carrying a Bajaj badge. The company is also the world’s largest manufacturer of three-wheelers. Bajaj Auto is the first two-wheeler company in the world to have reached a market cap of INR one trillion and continues to be the world’s most valuable two-wheeler company. It has been delivering products that have best-inclass design and technology and are built on uncompromised quality for the past 75 years. The company’s unwavering commitment to new product initiatives has made it future-ready.

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