05.16.2009 – MAHINDRA VEHICLES TO HIT
U.S. AUTO MARKET IN 2009
Rugged, Stylish Mahindra Trucks to Feature Clean-Burning Diesel Engines
ALPHARETTA, Ga. �" A new generation of clean-burning, diesel-powered vehicles is poised to take the American auto market by storm, led by automotive icons like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, as well as a newcomer to this market, Mahindra.
The Mahindra Group (www.mahindra.com), one of India’s largest industrial concerns, produces a comprehensive variety of cars and trucks, including a line of value-priced diesel-powered pickup trucks which, when they launch in the fourth quarter of 2009, will be first Indian-made motor vehicles to debut in the United States.
The first product line will feature two mid-size pickup trucks �" two- and four-door versions �" with standard six-speed automatic transmissions, air conditioning and similar state-of-the-art common-rail diesel technology as used by Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In addition to getting 20 to 40 percent better fuel mileage than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles, Mahindra trucks will provide greater carrying capacity, diesel durability and superior towing capabilities.
Global Vehicles U.S.A, Inc. (www.mahindrana.com) is the exclusive importer and distributor of Mahindra vehicles. Headquartered here, Global Vehicles is building a complete marketing/sales/service organization, including a dealer body which by early 2009 numbered more than 325, to support the launch and ongoing sales of Mahindra products in the U.S.
“We’re confident we’re coming to the market with the right product at the right time,” said John Perez, founder and CEO of Global Vehicles. “Mahindra vehicles promise superior quality, performance and reliability, along with outstanding fuel efficiency at an affordable price.
“ These trucks, and the SUV we will bring in about a year later, have been redesigned and reengineered to appeal to U.S. consumers with features normally found on much more expensive vehicles.”
The company is planning to provide all vehicles with a four-year/60,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty.
“The U.S. continues to be the world’s most important automotive market in terms of size, growth and opportunity,” said Dr. Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra’s Automotive Sector. “Mahindra’s entry into the U.S. auto market is a significant step not just for our company, but for India. We look forward to working with our importer, Global Vehicles, and its impressive dealer network to make Mahindra a U.S. success story.”
Over the past few years, Mahindra has methodically expanded its footprint beyond India. The growing demand for its vehicles and the need for local representation to better address foreign markets led to the establishment of Mahindra South Africa and Mahindra Europe (in Italy), as well as distributorships in other countries. In addition, Mahindra assembles its vehicles in Brazil, Egypt and Uruguay for the respective markets.
Additionally, the company recently signed joint ventures with Renault to produce vehicles for its domestic market and selected export ones.
Mahindra already has a successful venture in the United States. Mahindra U.S.A., Inc. was established in 1994 to produce and sell tractors in the American market. Mahindra is the number four seller of tractors in the U.S., attaining that position in 10 years and is the second largest tractor manufacturer in the world. Headquartered in Tomball, Texas, Mahindra U.S.A. has assembly and distribution warehouses in Houston, Calhoun, Ga. and Redbluff, Calif.
About The Mahindra Group
The U.S. $6.7 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan. Mahindra & Mahindra is the fourth-largest tractor brand in the world.
The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including the financial services, trade, retail and logistics, automotive components, after-market, information technology and infrastructure development. Mahindra has made an entry in the two-wheeler segment which will see the company emerge as a full-range player with a presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry.
Mahindra's Farm Equipment Sector is the proud recipient of the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company to receive this honor. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company to win the Deming Prize. The U.S. based Reputation Institute recently ranked Mahindra among the top 10 Indian companies in its Global 200: The World's Best Corporate Reputations list.
Mahindra is also one of the few Indian companies to receive an A+ GRI checked rating for its first Sustainability Report for the year 2007-08.
About Mahindra Automotive
The Mahindra Group’s Automotive Sector manufactures and markets utility and light commercial vehicles, including three-wheelers. It is the Indian market leader in utility vehicles with approximately 50 percent of the market.
Created in 1994 following an organizational restructuring, the Automotive Sector traces its roots to the post-World War II era, when brothers J.C. and K.C. Mahindra won contracts to assemble Willys Jeeps in India. The iconic Jeep, the vehicle which helped make the world safe for democracy, became the foundation of Mahindra’s automotive success.
GLOBAL VEHICLES U.S.A., INC.
Global Vehicles U.S.A., Inc., based in Alpharetta, Ga., was established in 1999 with the goal of bringing the hidden gems of the world’s auto business to American consumers. Initial achievement of this goal is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009 with the launch of trucks produced by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., one of the largest industrial firms in India.
Global Vehicles (www.mahindrana.com) is the exclusive importer and distributor in the United States of motor vehicles produced by the automotive arm of the Mahindra Group (www.mahindra.com), a $6-billion plus diverse conglomerate.
The initial offerings will be a range of two- and four-door pickup trucks powered by clean-burning-diesel engines, featuring the same state-of-the-art technology found in today’s diesels offered by Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which can be purchased in two- and four-wheel-drive versions. Other features will include standard six-speed automatic transmission, two- and four-wheel-drive variants, best-in-class cargo capacity and best-in-class bed length (two door).
A comprehensive dealer organization, numbering more than 325 in early 2009, will sell and service Mahindra trucks and future products (which is expected to include an SUV about a year after the launch of the pickup trucks). The dealer organization, continuously evolving, will mean a Mahindra owner can go virtually anywhere in the U.S. without fear of being beyond the Mahindra network and it will mean Mahindra trucks are available to the widest audience.
John Perez, company founder and CEO with years of experience in the business, leads a Global Vehicles staff combining veterans of the U.S. automotive industry with young, innovative thinkers from other disciplines.
MAHINDRA GROUP
The $6-plus billion Mahindra Group (www.mahindra.com) is one of the top 10 industrial companies in India. Based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the Mahindra Group employs more than 50,000 people and has a leading presence in the Indian economy, as well as a rapidly growing international profile.
Forbes magazine recently ranked the Mahindra Group as one of the world’s 200 Most Reputable Companies and one of India’s 10 Most Reputable Companies.
An inspiring family success story, the company is led by the second and third generations of the Mahindra family: Keshub Mahindra, chairman; and Anand G. Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director.
In addition to automobile, commercial vehicle and tractor manufacturing, the Mahindra Group’s activities include:
• Trade & Logistics: Mahindra Intertrade, Mahindra Steel Service, Mahindra Logistics
• Financial services and insurance: Mahindra Finance and Mahindra Insurance Brokers
• Telecom, information technology, software and information security: Tech Mahindra, Bristlecone, Mahindra Consulting and Mahindra Special Services Group
• Infrastructure development: Mahindra Lifespaces, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd., Mahindra World City
• Automotive components design, manufacturing, sourcing and supply: Systech
• Specialty Businesses: Mahindra AshTech, Mahindra Defence, Mahindra Logistics, Spares Business Unit
MAHINDRA AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
SIX DECADES OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s leading utility vehicle producer with more than 50 percent of the market, brings more than 60 years of leadership to its first automotive venture in the United States. The company has launched nearly a dozen new products in the past 15 years as well as partnering with United States, Asian and European automakers on joint ventures and advanced manufacturing facilities.
Mahindra sells its products in more than 25 countries on six continents and by the end of 2009 is scheduled to begin selling two mid-size pickup trucks: a two-door and four-door model in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive in the U.S. All will offer a blend of ruggedness, performance and affordability �" highlighted by a clean-burning diesel engine built with top-of-the-industry green technology designed to reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency.
Mahindra’s Automotive Sector is part of the $6-plus billion Mahindra Group (www.mahindra.com), an Indian multinational corporation named one of the world’s 200 most reputable companies by Forbes magazine.
MAHINDRA AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY
The Mahindra Automotive Sector traces its roots to the post-World War II era, when brothers J.C. and K.C. Mahindra won contracts to assemble Willys Jeeps in India. The iconic Jeep, the vehicle which helped make the world safe for democracy, became the foundation of Mahindra’s automotive success.
Not content to remain simply an assembler, Mahindra developed its own products and manufacturing capabilities. Over the years, the company has built a wide-ranging portfolio catering to a diverse customer base, including rural farmers, semi-urban customers, armed forces and urban sophisticates. Mahindra products include everything from luxury sport-utility vehicles (SUV) and trucks to buses and battery-powered three-wheelers.
INDIAN OPERATIONS
Mahindra’s Automotive Sector is the leading producer of utility vehicles in the Indian market, with a market share of about 50 percent.
Today, its flagship vehicle is the Scorpio, a mid-sized SUV named “Car of the Year” by CNBC Autocar, BBC Wheels and Business Standard Motoring. Mahindra also has leading products in the multi-utility, pickup truck, light commercial and three-wheeler segments.
As part of its joint ventures with Renault and International Trucks, Mahindra is developing a presence in passenger cars and medium/heavy commercial vehicles as well.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Mahindra has since 1969 been exporting vehicles and parts, with a presence in 25 countries. This activity received a major boost with the introduction of the Scorpio, developed for impact in both India and abroad. The development process of the Scorpio was the subject of a case study by the Harvard Business School.
In order to better understand and address the needs of foreign markets, the company has established Mahindra South Africa in Pretoria and Mahindra Europe in Italy. The company also assembles some of its products in Brazil, Egypt and Uruguay for those markets.
Distributors have been appointed in various international markets which has led to success for Mahindra in Europe, Africa, South America, South Asia and the Middle East. Now, through its exclusive partnership with Global Vehicles U.S.A., Inc., Mahindra is set to tackle the American auto market.
MAHINDRA JOINT VENTURE WITH RENAULT
In 2005, Mahindra partnered with French automaker Renault to manufacture the mid-size Logan sedan in India for the domestic and international markets. Mahindra owns 51 percent of the partnership which in April 2007 began producing the cars.
A state-of-the-art factory was built in Nashik, India, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 cars. Revolutionary manufacturing processes were designed and implemented specifically for this vehicle.
MAHINDRA INTERNATIONAL
In 2006, Mahindra and International Truck and Engine Corp. entered into a 51:49 joint venture under the name Mahindra International Ltd.
This joint venture will manufacture trucks and buses for sale in India and export markets; provide engineering services for the design and development of additional truck and
bus products globally, and allow International Truck and Engine to source materials and components from India’s thriving automotive suppliers.
In addition, Mahindra is building a world-class plant in Maharashtra, West India, to manufacture medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles as part of this joint venture. Initial annual plant capacity will be 250,000 vehicles. The venture also is expected to export vehicles through its own distribution channel, as well as International’s and M&M’s overseas networks.
FIRST CHOICE
First Choice, part of the Mahindra Group, is India’s largest multi-brand used-car company. Other promoters include HDFC, one of the most respected financial institutions in the country, and Sah & Sanghi, a Mumbai-based firm renowned for its skills in retail operations. First Choice provides consumers with a wide choice of good quality used cars, along with trust and transparency in each of its dealings. First Choice’s certified used cars are sold in 80 showrooms in 45 Indian cities. The company plans to have more than 200 stores over a period of two to three years.
MAHINDRA’S INITIAL U.S. PRESENCE
Tractor producer Mahindra U.S.A, Inc., established in 1994, has risen to number four in the American market (Mahindra is the world’s second largest tractor producer). Headquartered in Tomball, Texas, Mahindra U.S.A. has assembly facilities and distribution warehouses in Houston, Calhoun, Ga., and Redbluff, Calif.
2010 Mahindra Two-Door Truck
Preliminary U.S. Specifications*
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
Engine Four-cylinder common-rail diesel
Drivetrain layout Front engine, 4WD / 2WD
Transmission Six-speed Automatic
Wheel base 119.7 inches
Ground Clearance 8.3 inches
Front Suspension Independent torsion bar with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Semi-elliptical leaf spring
Fuel Capacity 19 gallons
Wheel 16 x 6.5J
Tires 245/75 R 16
INTERIOR
Seating Two
Stereo AM/FM/CD/MP3 with auxiliary input
Driver convenience controls Power locks
Climate Controls Air conditioning
SAFETY
Airbags Dual-stage, “smart” driver and passenger
Brakes Four-wheel discs with four-channel ABS
Handling Electronic stability control
2010 Mahindra Four-Door Truck
Preliminary U.S. Specifications
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
Engine Four-cylinder, common-rail diesel
Drivetrain layout Front engine, 4WD
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Wheel base 119.7 inches
Ground Clearance 8.3 inches
Front Suspension Independent, torsion bar with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Semi-elliptical leaf Spring
Fuel Capacity 19 gallons
Wheel 16 x 6.5J
Tires 245/75 R 16
INTERIOR
Seating Five
Stereo AM/FM/CD/MP3 with auxiliary input
Convenience Controls Power windows, power locks, security system
Climate Controls Air conditioning
SAFETY
Airbags Front dual-stage “smart” driver and passenger
Brakes Four-wheel discs with four-channel ABS
Handling Electronic stability control