C V Raman, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Maruti Suzuki India has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious World Car Person of the Year Award 2024.
Raman goes up against some prominent industry figures from across the globe including Red Bull Racing’s legendary Chief Technical Officer and aerodynamicist Adrian Newey, Volvo’s Head of Interior Design Lisa Reeves, Porsche GT Product Line director Andreas Preuninger and BMW Group’s senior vice president of Connected Company Development Stephan Durach.
Having spent 4-decades at Maruti-Suzuki, Raman leads development for global models. After years of transferring technology and engineering created in Japan to the Indian operation, he has now developed in-house teams and capability in India.
That effort came to the fore in 2023 with the development of the 5-door Jimny, the entire redesign and reengineering of which he helmed, as well as the new Fronx subcompact crossover model line – developed and made in India but for the world. With these vehicles, he has helped put Suzuki’s India ops on the map in a big way for the first time.
The World Car Awards is amongst the most coveted recognition globally which sees over 100 jurors share their views and recognitions.
The eligibility for the World Car Person of the Year Award depends on the contribution of potential candidates in the global automotive industry. The contribution could include a significant impact on their brand or company or a significant safety, engineering, design technical advancement, or other significant benefit for the consumer.
Interestingly, Raman becomes the second Indian, after Tata Motors’ Pratap Bose, to be shortlisted amongst the top finalist for the World Car Person of the Year Award in 2021.