TVS Motor steps up R&D spends in FY26 focus on electrification, connected platforms, and AI

TVS Motor Company is steadily stepping up its research and development (R&D) investment, which has risen from ₹645 crore in FY24 to ₹1,025 crore in FY25 and further to ₹1,254 crore in FY26.

“We are investing ₹1,254 crore annually in R&D, with more than 2,000 engineers working at the intersection of electrification, connected platforms and AI-driven design,” Chairman and Managing Director Sudarshan Venu said in his remarks as part of the company’s 2025-26 annual report.

The R&D push has helped TVS Motor’s expansion into new product categories, advancing its ambitions in electrification and premiumisation, and has also helped reduce carbon footprint.

“As energy price shocks cause uncertainty, EV adoption will likely rise. The companies that understand how electric vehicles will define mobility in the future will lead that shift. Your Company is already there,” Venu said.

During FY26, the company launched the Apache RTX 300 adventure motorcycle, the Orbiter electric scooter, the NTorQ 150 hyper-scooter and refreshed versions of the Apache and iQube range. In commercial mobility, it introduced the King Kargo HD EV and CNG variants to strengthen urban cargo and logistics.

More than 97 per cent of energy across TVS Motor’s Indian operations came from renewable sources this year, Venu said, adding that they avoided over 76,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

TVS’ global R&D network now spans centres in Hosur, Bologna, Jakarta and Solihull. The acquisition of Italy-based Engines Engineering S.p.A. during the year has further strengthened its capabilities in premium motorcycle engineering and vehicle design.

The company reported record sales of 5.89 million vehicles in FY26, with revenue rising to ₹47,270 crore and EBITDA increasing to ₹6,079 crore, cementing its position as the world’s third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer.

The company is cautiously outlook about future demand as India remains as one of the fastest‑growing major economies with GDP growth projected in the range of 6.0-6.5 per cent, while navigating macroeconomic challenges.

The possibility of an El Niño event could weigh on monsoon patterns and may have broader implications for India’s economy, the company noted.

FY27 is also likely to be the year TVS Motor gets closer to positioning Norton as a globally competitive premium motorcycle brand.

Norton is gearing up to introduce a differentiated product portfolio in FY 2026-27, comprising the all-new Manx, Manx R, Atlas and Atlas GT, marking a new phase in the brand’s product renaissance and global repositioning.