From government school to global auto tech: Anand Mahindra shares Velu’s story, calls him ‘Monday motivation’

Anand Mahindra hailed Velu, who designed the damping technology in new Mahindra XUV 7XO.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has shared an inspiring account of homegrown innovation, spotlighting Velu, the engineer behind the world’s first suspension system featuring DaVinci damping technology in the newly launched Mahindra XUV 7XO. Calling the story his ‘Monday motivation’, Mahindra underscored his long-held belief that India is a global powerhouse of talent.

In a post on X, Mahindra introduced Velu as the driving force behind the breakthrough suspension technology, noting the engineer’s visible excitement in personally demonstrating the system. Referring to him fondly as “Velu Guru”, Mahindra traced his journey from studying in a government school in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, to earning a B.Tech in Automotive Engineering from Anna University.

Velu joined Mahindra as a Junior Engineer and steadily rose through the organisation, eventually becoming Head of Technology and Product Development. Last year, he was appointed President of Mahindra’s Automotive Business, a rise Mahindra described as a testament to perseverance, learning, and leadership.

Meet Velu. He and his team have just introduced the world’s first suspension featuring DaVinci damping technology in the new Mahindra XUV 7XO As you can see, he can’t conceal his excitement to demonstrate it personally. Velu, or "Velu Guru” as we affectionately call him,… pic.twitter.com/tfbkJbLryO

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 19, 2026

Mahindra said Velu’s journey is not an exception but a reflection of the culture across Mahindra Research Valley and the company’s wider R&D ecosystem, which he described as being shaped by engineers who are “hungry to learn, hungry to lead, and hungry to take on the world’s best.” Reiterating his confidence in Indian talent, Mahindra called the country a “talent factory” capable of delivering world-class innovation.

Looking back at a defining moment in the company’s history, Mahindra recalled how, in 1991, global consultants had advised the group to exit as India opened up its economy and international competition loomed. “We chose not to listen,” he said, adding that Mahindra’s continued presence and progress stand as proof of the strength of its people-driven approach.

Concluding his post, Mahindra said Velu and the automotive team are not just a source of weekly motivation but a constant inspiration, signalling that the company’s focus on learning, innovation, and customer-centric technology remains unwavering.

What is damping technology in cars?

Damping technology is a critical part of a vehicle’s suspension system, responsible for controlling how the car responds to road irregularities. It works through shock absorbers that manage the movement of springs, ensuring the vehicle does not bounce excessively after hitting bumps or potholes. Advanced damping systems, such as DaVinci damping, dynamically adjust suspension behaviour in real time, balancing ride comfort with stability, improving handling, and keeping the tyres firmly in contact with the road across varying driving conditions.