I. V. Rao is a distinguished automotive engineering professional known for his long-standing contribution to India’s passenger vehicle industry, particularly through his leadership at Maruti Suzuki.
I. V. Rao has over three decades of experience with Maruti Suzuki, where he held multiple senior leadership roles across product development, engineering, and production engineering. His work played a significant role in shaping cost-effective vehicle development and strengthening India’s automotive manufacturing capabilities.
He served as Executive Director (Engineering) and later as Executive Advisor and Director at the Maruti Suzuki Centre of Excellence, where he focused on innovation, R&D capability building, and engineering excellence.
He is widely recognized as one of the key architects behind Maruti Suzuki’s frugal engineering approach, contributing to successful models such as the Ertiga and Eeco, and supporting localization under India’s automotive growth initiatives.
He holds a Master of Technology (M.Tech) from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University, reflecting a strong technical foundation.
He has also been associated as a Visiting Senior Fellow with The Energy and Resources Institute, contributing to sustainability and mobility discussions.
He continues to be regarded as an influential figure in India’s automotive engineering landscape, known for innovation, leadership, and contribution to the country’s automotive R&D ecosystem.
