Dr Sumantran is that unique combination of business leader, technocrat, academic and author, having lived and worked in the US, Europe and Asia over a 30+ year career. He is Chairman of Celeris Technologies and an advisor to several Fortune-100 organizations in autos, technology, industrial equipment, and aerospace. He is the author of the book Faster, Smarter, Greener – the future of the Car and Urban Mobility (www.fastersmartergreener.com) published by MIT Press (2017).

He is an Adjunct Professor at MIT-MISI, serves on the Board of Governors for the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar and on the Advisory Board of the Fraunhofer Institutes (Germany). He was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

 

Previously (2006-2014) he was Executive Vice-Chairman of Hinduja Automotive, UK, the auto and manufacturing sector holding company of the Hinduja Group, as well as Vice Chairman of Ashok Leyland, India’s 2^nd largest Commercial Vehicle manufacturer. As an architect of the Group’s expansion into new sectors, he launched and served as Chairman of their joint-ventures with Nissan (Light Trucks), John Deere (Construction Equipment) and Continental AG (Automotive Telematics).

 

Prior to this (2001-2005), he was Member of the Board at Tata Motors and the Chief Executive Officer of TATA Motors’ Car business in its formative years, reporting to Mr. Ratan Tata. During this time, he led the growth of that fledgling business to become India’s 2^nd largest automaker and also oversaw the development for their landmark products including the Tata Nano.

 

Prior to joining TATAs, Dr. Sumantran had a 16-year career with General Motors in Detroit and subsequently served on deputation in Europe as Director-R&D at the GM-FIAT alliance in Europe.

 

Dr. Sumantran has served on the Science Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India and the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet of the Indian Government.  He has served on the Manufacturing Competitiveness Council of the Government of India, and as Chairman of the National Defence Council of the Confederation of Indian Industries. He was a Co-Chairman of Engineering Services Forum of NASSCOM – India’s IT and Services association. He was also President, Automotive Research Association of India (the national vehicle testing and homologating authority).

 

Dr. Sumantran is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and subsequently earned his MS (Princeton University) and Ph.D. (Virginia Tech) degrees in Aerospace Engineering as well a Master’s degree in Management of Technology. He is a Fellow of SAE International and a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.

He is a licenced Pilot and possesses a FIA Racing Driver's Licence.