Consumer verdict: “I have been a hard-core Scorpio fan, and driving a Scorpio makes me feel like a man. The styling and features of the new Scorpio are very nice,” said Shabbir Mohamed Plumber, a 35-year-old interior designer. “The biggest negative of the car is its gear system, which is not smooth at all. You feel a certain obstruction when you are shifting the gears,” he added.
April 2007-February 2008 sales: The Scorpio, 35,971 units; new mHawk Scorpio (December 2007-February 2008), 2,798 units
Abraham Joseph
Vice-president (R&D), Bajaj Auto Ltd
Born:25 September 1967
Education: BE (mechanical engineering), National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, 1989
Joined current company: July 1989. Hired through Bajaj Auto’s campus recruitment process
First job: Graduate trainee engineer at Bajaj Auto
Professional experience: Completed summer training at Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd in Bhopal before being picked up by Bajaj Auto
Significant achievements: “It would be the development of DTSi, or what we call digital twin spark ignition engine. It took about one-and-a-half years to develop, and (made its) debut in the Pulsar in 2003. From then on, it has percolated down to all our bikes, the latest one being the XCD.”
Claim to fame: Hand-picked by Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj to head a team, which designed and developed the Pulsar. This first team of 10-12 people has now grown into 350 people, which makes up Bajaj Auto’s R&D division. Has received a special award from the FIE (Fuel Instruments and Engineers) Foundation in 2006
Role model/icon: BMW AG for its philosophy of independence and ability to develop technology
Consumer verdict: “The Pulsar 150cc DTSi has the best formula of fuel economy, looks and power in its segment. The bike is also very stable at higher speeds of 80-90kmph,” said 25-year-old engineer Jay Goradia. “The suspension needs further improvement to give a more comfortable ride on bumpy roads,” he added.
April 2007-February 2008 sales: 2,275,127 units, including exports
Vinay Harne
Senior vice-president (R&D), TVS Motor Co
Born: 17 March 1959
Education: MTech (engine design), Indian Institute Technology, Madras, 1982
Joined current company: 1982
First job: TVS Motor. Hired by M.N. Muralikrishna, head of research and development
Professional experience: With TVS throughout
Significant achievements: “When we first designed and developed a local TVS bike, the Victor. We also worked to make the moped more reliable and also the first fuel injection two-stroke engine in the country. I also worked in racing for four years and TVS has won 85% of road racing and motorcross races in the past many years.”
Claim to fame: Led the team that developed the Victor, Apache, Flame and TVS Scooty, with the first variomatic engine (which does not require changing gears)
Role model/icon: “I haven’t thought about it, but it would not be any individual, but organizations like AVL.” (AVL Austria is an engine research institute)
Consumer verdict: “The bike gives me a decent mileage. However, start and pick-up are problems,” said Ganesh Devarajan of Mumbai, who uses a TVS Victor GLX bike. “It also does not have a good resale value.’’
April 2007-February 2008 sales: 1,171816 units, including exports
M Natraj
Executive director (product development, advanced engineering & design services), Ashok Leyland Ltd