Siddhartha Vikram Lal (born October 1973) is an Indian businessman. He is the son of Vikram Lal, and a former chief executive officer (CEO) and the current managing director (MD) of Eicher Motors, a director of Eicher Goodearth Limited and chairman and MD of VE Commercial Vehicles.[1] Lal is credited with the turnaround and revival of Royal Enfield.[2][6]
Siddhartha Lal
| |
---|---|
![]()
Lal in 2012
| |
Born | October 1973 (age 50) |
Nationality | Indian |
Education | The Doon School St. Stephen's College, Delhi Cranfield University University of Leeds (MSc)[1] |
Occupation | Businessman |
Years active | 1999– |
Known for | Revival of Royal Enfield[2] |
Title | CEO & MD, Eicher Motors Chairman & MD, VE Commercial Vehicles Limited[1][3] |
Spouse | Natasha Lal[4][5] |
Parent |
|
Website | Siddhartha Lal |
Siddhartha Vikram Lal is the son of Vikram Lal, who was the chief executive officer of Eicher Motors.[7] Like his father, Siddhartha attended The Doon School for his secondary education. After completing twelfth grade, Lal attended the St. Stephen's CollegeofUniversity of Delhi for a bachelor's degree in economics in the 1994. Between 1996 and 1998, he attained a postgraduate diploma in mechanical engineering from Cranfield University, and a master's degree in automotive engineering from the University of Leeds in England.[1][8] He has a sister, Simran Lal.[9]
Lal, after completing his education started working with MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. He joined Eicher Group in 1999, working in various capacities in the Eicher tractor division, and then became CEO of Royal Enfield in 2000 (at the age of 26) aiming to end the unit's losses. From 2000 to 2004, he worked out of Royal Enfield's headquarters in Chennai, introducing cost-cutting measures and product upgrades.[10][11] "Honestly, at age 26, it seemed a fun thing to do. I could eat, sleep, ride and talk motorcycles," Lal said in a 2015 interview.[12]
In Jan 2004, Lal was appointed as the chief operating officer (COO) of Eicher Motors.[12] In May 2006, Lal took over as the CEO and MD of Eicher Motors.[1][8]
Position | Company |
---|---|
MD | Eicher Motors |
Director | Eicher Goodearth Limited |
Chairman | VE Commercial Vehicles |
Director | Eicher Goodearth Holdings |
Siddhartha Lal relocated from Delhi[13] to London,[11] in August 2015, in order to be close to Royal Enfield's new R&D centre in Leicestershire.[14] "We are in the process of developing engines for the international markets and lots of developmental work is happening in the UK. It is for that I have decided to move to the UK for one year," he said.[15][16]
AAP's last biggest donation came from Natasha Lal, wife of Eicher Group head Siddhartha Lal, who gave Rs 50 lakh last week.
Lal family on Forbes Lists #40 Asia's Richest Families (2015)
Manufacturing at the Jaipur plant, which has a capacity to produce 13,000 mobikes, is under suspension and according to the plan it is expected to resume operations as soon as the Chennai plant achieves full capacity utilisation.
He has unleashed a burst of activity in London to leverage its British heritage and design products (Royal Enfield has a development centre there) that appeal to the global audience.
In 2004 he took charge of running the group, which was then a collective of several businesses. He sold all but two, including the legacy tractor unit, to focus on motorcycles and trucks.
The shift was surprising because Eicher, which owns the famous motorbike maker Royal Enfield, has a manufacturing base in Chennai and headquarters in Gurgaon.