Vikram Kirloskar dies at the age of 64

2 Dec 2022 , 06:34 AM

Industrialist Vikram Kirloskar, who died on Tuesday in Bengaluru from a heart attack, played a key role in bringing the Japanese automaker Toyota to India. The 64-year-old Kirloskar leaves behind his wife, Gitanjali, and daughter, Manasi.

Kirloskar, a mechanical engineer who graduated from MIT, served as vice chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM). He was crucial in the creation of TKM, a partnership between the Kirloskar Group and a major Japanese automaker. On Wednesday, Bengaluru’s Hebbal Crematorium held Kirloskar’s funeral services.

The late Vikram’s father, Srikant Kirloskar, was SL Kirloskar’s nephew and the head of the Kirloskar Group. The fourth generation of the family included Vikram. He earned his mechanical engineering degree from MIT, began his career at engine manufacturer Kirloskar Cummins, and went on to play a significant role in introducing India’s Toyota Motor Corp. to the country in 1997. He oversaw the company for 25 years. He served as the Japanese automaker’s public face in India.