Mahindra has unequivocally announced its future cars will follow its successful core models, which are SUVs, and not concentrate on making hatchbacks, mini SUVs or sedans.
Anish Shah, who is the MD and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra has stated that any launches within the carmaker’s core (market) have done well (like the second-generation Thar which has over 50,000 bookings to date), while launches outside it has not.
The brand has determined that its product “strike zone” would start from around the Bolero and move up to the XUV300, Scorpio, Thar and the XUV500, which would result in vehicles outside this lineup facing the axe.
Key products, though, will be upgraded, like the Scorpio and XUV500 which are in for a generational update. But, this only tells half the story about future Mahindra cars, for, the brand is also planning to launch several electric vehicles in the coming years.
It is considering the possibility of having a second all-new brand of premium, electric SUVs under Pininfarina which will sit above the XUV500. They would be based on ‘born electric’ platforms and could be priced up to Rs. 40 lakhs.
Currently, Pininfarina is working on introducing the Battista, an electric supercar limited to only 125 production units. The technology used in the model would help Mahindra’s EV business claims Shah.
Mahindra would invest over Rs. 3000 crores into its electric vehicle project, which also includes last mile mobility, in the short term, and the investment would be scaled up in the future corresponding to the business expansion.
The company is also looking to scale down its business as it focusses on the future. Mahindra is trying to reduce its North American business, sell SsangYong, while its proposed joint venture with Ford did not go through either.
Source – TimesofIndia.IndiaTimes.com