Vikram Kirloskar of Toyota Kirloskar Motor passes away

Bengaluru: Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Wednesday said that its vice chairman Vikram S Kirloskar has passed away at the age of 64.
Initial reports suggest that he died either of heart attack or cardiac arrest.
“We are extremely saddened to inform you of the untimely demise of Mr. Vikram S Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on 29th November 2022,” the company website said.
The last rites took place at 1 pm today.
Kirloskar is survived by his wife Geetanjali Kirloskar and daughter Manasi Kirloskar.
He was President of Confederation of Indian Industry during 2019-20 and currently the Chairman of CII Manufacturing Council, CII Trade Fair’s council and Chairman Hydrogen Task force.
Kirloskar had an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US. Thereafter, he started working in the family business, specifically in production engineering.
He has also served as the president of The Central Manufacturing Institute in Bangalore. He was also elected as president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers during 2013-15.
Condolences began pouring in over Kirloskar’s death.
In his condolence message, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: “Heartfelt condolences on the sad & untimely demise of one of the stalwarts of India’s automotive industry, Vice Chairperson of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Shri Vikram Kirloskar. May his soul rest in peace. May God grant the family & friends the strength to bear this loss. Om Shanti.”
Remembering Vikram Kirloskar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said: “It is difficult to believe that he has left us suddenly. Vikram ji was a tall statesman who’ll always be remembered for steering the transformation of the auto industry in India. His efforts have tremendously helped Bharat to move towards cleaner and greener fuels. This is a deep personal loss to me. May the almighty grant strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.”
“Vikram Kirloskar’s sudden passing away is a shock and a great loss to industry in India. Few business people possessed his qualities of leadership, compassion and genuine friendship. His contribution to the automobile industry will be remembered forever,” Former Finance Minister and Rajya Sabha Member P Chidambaram, said.
Karnataka IT Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, said, “Shocked and sad to hear about the demise of Shri Vikram Kirloskar. He laid the foundation for Karnataka’s automobile journey with the collaboration with Toyota & created skilled jobs. My condolences to his family and the Kirloskar team. Om Shanti.”
Expressing grief over Kirloskar’s demise, Karnataka Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani called him as his good friend and said he would be missed.
“I’m at a thorough loss of words to hear about the sad demise of my good friend & industry leader, Shri Vikram Kirloskar Avaru, Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motors. You will be missed! May his soul rest in peace & may God grant his family the strength to get through this,” he tweeted.
Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said that she was devastated by Kirloskar’s shocking demise. “He was such a dear friend who I will hugely miss. I share the pain and inconsolable grief of Gitanjali Manasi in the family,” she said.