Brands
Vignesh Shankar gets new product management role at Britannia
MUMBAI: From corp comm to product management, that’s a fabulous transition for Vignesh Shankar. Shankar has taken on a new role as product manager, health innovations at food company Britannia Industries. This appointment marks his third role within the company, following his stint as product innovation manager for the iconic Good Day brand.
In his latest capacity, Shankar will focus on category creation, product innovation, and marketing in the emerging healthy snacking space while also managing Britannia’s corporate brand reputation.
Expressing excitement over the new role, Shankar said: “Really stoked for the new challenges and opportunities. Grateful for the support of my legendary leaders Amit Doshi and Archana Balaraman throughout this life-changing transition.”
Shankar’s professional journey spans over a decade across prominent firms. Prior to his tenure at Britannia, he served as manager, corporate communications at Mercedes-Benz India, where he led lifestyle and product communication. He also worked as a consultant at Weber Shandwick and as an associate at Genesis BCW.
An alumnus of the University of Leeds, where he earned an MA in advertising and marketing, Shankar also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Centre for Management Studies, JGI Bangalore.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
