Automotive veteran joins Greaves Cotton to supercharge EV growth

Greaves Cotton Limited has announced the appointment of Ramachandra Puttanna as the Business Head for EV Solutions and New Businesses in its Greaves Retail division. The move underscores Greaves Cotton’s commitment to enhancing its foothold in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and advancing its strategic growth agenda.

The appointment, effective immediately, comes as part of Greaves Retail’s mission to drive sustainable mobility solutions across India. Puttanna, who boasts over 35 years of extensive experience in the automotive industry, will be responsible for steering the EV and new business sectors within Greaves Retail. His leadership will reportedly align with the company’s asset-light, fuel-agnostic approach to mobility, focusing on comprehensive sales and service across two- and three-wheelers, small commercial vehicles, and construction equipment.

Ramachandra Puttanna’s career includes significant roles at reputable organizations such as Fenner India, BOSCH India, Oman Trading, Magneti Marelli, and ZF Group, where he most recently served as Vice President of Aftermarket operations for India and the SAARC region. His academic background spans a Mechanical Engineering degree from Mysore University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Bangalore University, and an advanced management program from IIM Bangalore.

In his statement, Puttanna expressed his enthusiasm about joining Greaves Cotton, emphasizing the potential to contribute meaningfully to the company’s evolving journey in sustainable solutions. Narasimha Jayakumar, CEO of Greaves Retail, noted that Puttanna’s extensive expertise would support Greaves’ customer-centric initiatives and innovative growth strategies.

The appointment aligns with Greaves Cotton’s vision of enhancing its leadership strength as it diversifies into new business areas. The company, with over 163 years of legacy, is known for its fuel-agnostic powertrain solutions and recent advancements in cleantech mobility.

Industry specialists suggest that Puttanna’s entry could mark a significant strategic advantage for Greaves Cotton, enabling it to leverage his knowledge for improved service delivery and market positioning.