Toyota vs TVS Motor: Founders, CEOs and History
Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda and is led by Kenta Kon. TVS Motor was founded in 1978 by T. V. Sundram Iyengar, Venu Srinivasan and is led by K. N. Radhakrishnan.
Company facts
Founders
Toyota
Kiichiro Toyoda
Kiichiro Toyoda (1894-1952) founded the Toyota Motor Corporation in 1937, spinning it out of his father's successful textile machinery business.
Sakichi Toyoda
Sakichi Toyoda was not the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation but his inventions and philosophy created the foundation on which it was built. His loom patents generated the capital Kiichiro needed to experiment with automobiles.
TVS Motor
T. V. Sundram Iyengar
T. V. Sundram Iyengar (1877-1955) was a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu who founded T.V. Sundram Iyengar & Sons in Madurai in 1911.
Venu Srinivasan
Venu Srinivasan, grandson of T. V. Sundram Iyengar, led the TVS two-wheeler business for decades.
CEOs and their tenures
Toyota
- Katsuaki Watanabe2005–2009
President
Toyota became the largest carmaker in the world by sales in 2008, then reported its first operating loss in decades. Akio Toyoda succeeded him in June 2009.
Source - Akio Toyoda2009–2023
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Chairman)
Akio Toyoda took leadership during one of Toyota's hardest modern periods, including the global financial crisis and the unintended acceleration recall crisis.
Source - Koji Sato2023–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Vice Chairman)
Koji Sato inherited a profitable but scrutinized Toyota.
Source - Kenta Kon2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
As CFO, he managed the immense capital allocation required for Toyota's massive $35 billion commitment to fully electrify its vehicle lineup by 2030.
Source
TVS Motor
- K.N. Radhakrishnan2008–present
Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Ensured consistent double-digit operating EBITDA margins through disciplined procurement, driving the commercial execution behind the Jupiter, Apache, and iQube sales surges.
Source - Sudarshan Venu2022–present
Chairman & Managing Director
Under his leadership TVS sold a record 5.89 million vehicles in FY2026 and grew consolidated revenue to ~$6.5 billion (₹56,028 crore).
Source
Timeline: Toyota and TVS Motor side by side
1911TVS Motor
T.V. Sundaram Iyengar Founds TVS Group: Thirukurungudi Vengaram Sundaram Iyengar founds T.V.
1937Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation incorporated
Toyota Motor Corporation was incorporated after Kiichiro Toyoda expanded the Toyoda family business from automatic looms into automobile manufacturing.
1955Toyota
Toyopet Crown launched
The Toyopet Crown gave Toyota a postwar passenger-car platform and later became its first passenger car exported to the United States.
1966Toyota
Corolla launched
Toyota launched the Corolla, a compact car that became central to its mass-market export strategy.
1978TVS Motor
Establishment of TVS Motor Plant in Hosur: TVS establishes its two-wheeler manufacturing plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, producing the well-known TVS 50 2-stroke moped, mobilizing millions of Indian rural…
1980TVS Motor
TVS 50 Moped Launched
The TVS 50, a two-seater moped, was launched in 1980.
1982TVS Motor
TVS Suzuki Joint Venture Established: Partners with Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation to manufacture modern 100cc Japanese motorcycles in India (TVS-Suzuki AX100 and Samurai).
1989Toyota
Lexus launches
Toyota launched Lexus with the LS 400, moving into premium vehicles with a quality-led strategy.
1997Toyota
Prius launches in Japan
Toyota launched the Prius, turning hybrid technology into a mass-produced passenger vehicle.
2001TVS Motor
Amicable Separation from Suzuki & TVS Victor Launch: TVS and Suzuki amicably buy out joint venture shares; TVS launches the 100% indigenously developed TVS Victor 110cc commuter motorcycle, which beco…
2002TVS Motor
World's First Two-Wheeler Maker to Win the Deming Prize: TVS Motor Company is awarded the Deming Application Prize by the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) for total quality management…
2006TVS Motor
Launch of the TVS Apache Series: Introduces the TVS Apache performance motorcycle, originating from TVS Racing's factory track lineage, which grows into a 5-million-rider global sports franchise.
2008Toyota
Largest Carmaker by Sales
Toyota passed General Motors in 2008 to become the largest carmaker in the world by sales.
2009Toyota
Unintended Acceleration Recalls
Toyota recalled millions of vehicles from late 2009 over floor mats and accelerator pedals linked to unintended acceleration.
2013TVS Motor
BMW Motorrad Strategic Partnership: Signs long-term cooperation agreement with BMW Motorrad to co-develop and manufacture sub-500cc motorcycles (BMW G 310 R, GS, and TVS Apache RR 310) in Hosur.
2013TVS Motor
Jupiter Scooter Launched
TVS launched the Jupiter scooter in 2013.
2016Toyota
Acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
Toyota Motor acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd..
2020TVS Motor
Acquisition of Norton Motorcycles (UK): Acquires historic British luxury superbike brand Norton Motorcycles for 16 million, building a modern factory in Solihull, England.
2021Toyota
Acquired Lyft Level 5
Toyota Motor acquired Lyft Level 5 for $550 million.
2021Toyota
Acquired CARMERA
Toyota Motor acquired CARMERA.
2022TVS Motor
Sudarshan Venu becomes managing director
Sudarshan Venu became managing director of TVS Motor in 2022. Under his leadership TVS sold a record 5.89 million vehicles in FY2026 and grew consolidated revenue to ~$6.5 billion (₹56,028 crore).
2024TVS Motor
Surpassing 300,000 TVS iQube EV Deliveries: TVS iQube crosses 300,000 cumulative electric scooter sales, establishing TVS as India's top 2 electric two-wheeler manufacturer alongside Ola Electric.
2026Toyota
Kenta Kon becomes president and CEO
Kenta Kon became president and CEO on April 1, 2026, while Koji Sato moved to vice chairman and chief industry officer.
2026Toyota
FY2026 sales revenues reach ~$340B (JPY 50.685T)
Toyota reported FY2026 sales revenues of ~$340 billion (JPY 50,684.952 billion) and net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation of ~$25.8 billion (JPY 3,848.098 billion).
Acquisitions
Toyota
- Lyft Level 52021$550M
- CARMERA2021Undisclosed
- Renovo Motors2021Undisclosed
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.2016Undisclosed
- Toyota Auto Body2012Undisclosed
TVS Motor
- Engines Engineering2025Undisclosed
- DriveX2024Undisclosed
- Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) & EGO Movement2022Undisclosed
- Swiss E-Mobility Group2022Undisclosed
- EGO Movement2021Undisclosed
- Norton Motorcycles (UK) Limited2020Undisclosed
Questions about Toyota vs TVS Motor
Who is the CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation and TVS Motor Company?
Toyota Motor Corporation is led by Kenta Kon and TVS Motor Company is led by K. N. Radhakrishnan. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Toyota Motor Corporation founded vs TVS Motor Company?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in 1937 — 41 years before TVS Motor Company, which was founded in 1978. Toyota Motor Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger TVS Motor Company.
How many employees does Toyota Motor Corporation have compared to TVS Motor Company?
Toyota Motor Corporation employs approximately 375,235 people, while TVS Motor Company employs approximately 5,500. Toyota Motor Corporation has the larger workforce at 375,235 employees, compared to TVS Motor Company's 5,500. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Toyota Motor Corporation and TVS Motor Company headquartered?
Toyota Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan and TVS Motor Company is headquartered in India. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Toyota Motor Corporation and TVS Motor Company?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda. TVS Motor Company was founded by T. V. Sundram Iyengar, Venu Srinivasan.
Which company has a longer operating history — Toyota Motor Corporation or TVS Motor Company?
Toyota Motor Corporation has been operating for approximately 89 years, making it the more established of the two companies. TVS Motor Company has been in operation for around 48 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Toyota vs TVS Motor overview