DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 25, 2026--
TVS Motor Company (TVSM), part of TVS VENU, and a reputed global manufacturer of two and three-wheelers, today announced the appointment of Marcel Driessen as Division Head – Europe, effective September 15 th, 2026 to strengthen its international business operations and accelerate growth across key global markets. Marcel will spearhead the next phase of expansion for both the brands TVSM and Norton Motorcycles in one of the company's most strategically important regions.
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Marcel joins TVS Motor Company with more than three decades of international leadership experience across the automotive and premium motorcycle industries. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held senior commercial and management positions with some of the world's most respected brands, including Yamaha, BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Piaggio, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Henkel. His deep understanding of the European market, coupled with his extensive industry expertise, positions him strongly to lead TVS Motor Company's growth ambitions across the region.
The appointment comes as TVS Motor Company evolves its International Business organization to enhance market focus, agility and customer proximity, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth across global markets.
Peyman Kargar, President – International Business, TVS Motor Company, said,"Europe represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities for TVS Motor Company globally and remains central to our long-term international strategy. Marcel brings an exceptional blend of industry knowledge, commercial expertise and leadership experience gained over more than three decades with some of the world's most iconic mobility brands. His strong understanding of European consumers, dealer networks and market dynamics will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our presence, accelerate growth and build a stronger, more aspirational TVS Motor brand across the region. We are delighted to welcome Marcel to the TVS family."
Marcel Driessen, incoming Division Head – Europe, said,"I am honoured to join TVS Motor Company at a pivotal moment in its global growth journey. The company has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to innovation, quality and customer-centricity while building an increasingly strong international presence. Europe presents significant opportunities for growth, and I look forward to working closely with our teams and partners to further strengthen the brand, expand our footprint and create lasting value for customers across the region."
As part of the company's broader International Business reorganisation aimed at increasing market focus and agility, Richard Tougeron, currently Division Head – Europe, will assume responsibility as Division Head – MENA & Asia (Middle East & CIS, North Africa and Asia). Based in Dubai, he will continue to lead the company's growth and operations across these strategically important markets.
About TVS Motor Company
TVS Motor Company (BSE:532343 and NSE: TVSMOTOR), part of TVS VENU, is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through sustainable mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in India and Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of trust, value, and passion for customers, it takes pride in making internationally accepted products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. TVS Motor is the only two-wheeler company to have won the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for four consecutive years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 90 countries in which we operate.
For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com
Marcel Driessen, Division Head – Europe, TVS Motor Company
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing the government to temporarily take control of critical infrastructure if private owners fail to protect it from Ukrainian drone attacks or rebuild it after strikes, apparently the latest indication that Moscow is feeling the strain of war.
Russia is facing economic and political pressure due to months of escalating, deep and increasingly accurate Ukrainian strikes. Kyiv has used domestically developed long-range drones to target vital oil facilities, triggering fuel shortages that Putin publicly admitted, and major commercial hubs, embarrassing the Russian leadership.
Ukraine has also reeled from relentless Russian aerial attacks that have smashed its power grid ahead of winter and heavily damaged homes, as Russia’s invasion stretches into its fifth year.
The Kremlin’s intentions with Putin’s decree, announced late Monday, are unclear. However, it applies to various sectors, including energy and fuel infrastructure, industrial, communications, transport and logistics facilities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that “often business owners do not pay enough attention to taking measures to ensure safety, anti-drone safety.”
Given the drone threat against vital economic infrastructure, “we must take measures, we must ensure our own safety,” Peskov said.
Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said in a statement Monday evening that the decree doesn’t imply nationalization of companies or a change of ownership — only “involvement of the state in the management of an enterprise to solve specific security problems.”
He added that “this mechanism doesn’t imply widespread use — targeted, carefully considered decisions will be made at the highest level.”
Russian political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said the measure might be a “tactical” step designed to make the owners of repeatedly damaged oil refineries undertake repairs that they might otherwise shy away from.
“Given the fact that the same refinery has already been hit three to five times, it’s safe to assume that the owners are now reluctant to invest in restoring what’s been destroyed,” he said on the Telegram messaging app.
“Why spend billions if they’re going to get hit again tomorrow?” asked Gallyamov, who once worked as a speechwriter for Putin.
The government is giving companies an ultimatum, he said: “If you don’t finance the restoration of the refineries, we’ll take them away from you.”
In the latest attacks, Ukraine’s General Staff said Tuesday its forces struck facilities at Russia’s Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region overnight, causing a fire. Krasnodar Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said a fire broke out at an oil refinery in the town of Afipsky.
A Ukrainian attack also damaged the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in southern Russia’s Rostov region overnight and halted operations, Rostov Gov. Yuri Slyusar said Tuesday. He didn’t provide any other details.
Russia faces fundamental economic challenges as the costly war drags on. The government has raised taxes and increased domestic borrowing to keep Russia’s budget deficit under control, and taking over major companies could potentially bring it windfall revenue.
At the same time, taking over damaged assets could bring another financial burden for authorities. The Kremlin may intend the measure as a way to pressure companies to shoulder more responsibility for air defense, as Russia’s vast territory is hard to protect comprehensively.
Russia has also introduced more help for its biggest online retailer, Wildberries, and businesses selling goods through it — the company and thousands of sellers working with it were hit hard by Ukrainian strikes on warehouses. The Finance Ministry proposed Monday extending deadlines for tax and insurance payments to give Wildberries and its sellers some financial breathing space.
On Saturday, Putin told Russian state television that in the wake of Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, Moscow “must and will improve the air defense system and enhance its capabilities.”
“We need to streamline coordination between defense, law enforcement and civilian agencies at all levels, and to leverage the capabilities of state‑run enterprises and private businesses,” Putin said.
In May, with Ukraine’s deep strikes unsettling Moscow, Russian lawmakers approved a bill that allowed the country’s Central Bank, state-controlled Sberbank and some other financial services to fend off drone attacks by installing air defenses on their premises.
Russian news outlet RBC reported in May, citing anonymous sources in and close to the Defense Ministry, that a mechanism had been established for businesses to procure weapons and equipment to protect themselves from Ukrainian drone attacks, something Russian officials and lawmakers have said companies should do.
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during their meeting at the Senate Palace of the Kremlin in Moscow, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (Sergei Karpukhin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
