M&M sales jump by 41.92 percent in December 2010
The country’s largest utility vehicle maker, Mahindra & Mahindra, reported a jump of 41.92 percent in its whole sales during December 2010. M&M sold a sum of 34,062 units during this month as compared to 24,001 units sold in the same month preceding year. The total sales of company’s utility vehicles (Mahindra Xylo, Bolero and Scorpio) and Pick-Ups, stood at 14,705 units during this month, as against 11,904 units sold in the same month last year, accounting for a growth of 23.53 percent.
On the other hand, the sales of company’s only sedan model – Mahindra Logan – stood at 896 units during this month, as compared to mere 308 units sold in December 2009. M&M registered a two-fold increase in the sales of its three-wheelers and mini trucks (Gio and Maxximo) to 5,928 units as compared to 2,909 units sold during the same month preceding year. The company’s exports surged to 1,516 units during this month as against 1,247 units sold in the same month last year, accounting a growth of over 21.57 per cent. Meanwhile, Mahindra’s plans of launching a new electric car in the US market from Reva portfolio, has been delayed as its partner Bannon Automotive has moved court seeking a compensation of $290 million (over Rs1,300 crore) in financial damages due an alleged breach of contract.
Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride culminates in Nagpur
The Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride reached its grand finale in Nagpur. The rally consisted of 20 bikers riding the Mahindra Stallio across the length and breadth of India. The 20 bikers were separated into four teams consisting of five members each and covered a total distance of approx 24,000 km. The rally was flagged off from the four corners of India – Manali in the North, Goa in the West, Gangtok in the East and Kanyakumari in the South from November 22 – 25, 2010. Each team had a committed 
support crew accompanying it which provided necessary assistance. “I would like to congratulate each and every one of the Mahindra Stallio riders for successfully completing this challenging journey.
The Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride has proved that biking is in the end about fun, camaraderie, shared experiences and above all, safety. In fact, today, consumers have come to associate the Mahindra Stallio with careful riding, a platform we will continue to occupy in future as well,” said Mr. Anoop Mathur, President Two Wheeler Sector and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Participants were selected on the basis of an online ‘Dream Jobs’ contest announced a few months ago on their official website.
The competition received an overwhelming response from bike enthusiasts across the country, with over 20,000 registrations. However, only 20 lucky winners (including two ladies) made it to the final list. Each team had a dedicated support crew which provided necessary assistance. All their fuel, lodging, boarding, insurance costs, etc., have been taken care of by Mahindra. In addition, they get a stipend and requisite safety riding gear. As an added bonus, they will also get to ride their Stallios home at the end of the event.
Mahindra to hike prices
Mahindra & Mahindra, the largest utility vehicle producer in the country, said on Tuesday that it is going to hike the price of all its models across all variants in the Indian market, starting from 1st January, 2011. The company has blamed the continuously increasing price of input material for this price hike. However, the size of this hike is yet to be disclosed by the company. Speaking on the matter to the the media in New Delhi, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) senior vice-president (Sales and Customer Care, Automotive Sector) Arun Malhotra said, "There will definitely be a price increase in January and we are finalizing it at present. It will be across all categories (passenger and commercial vehicles)." Meanwhile, the corporation displayed its recently launched retro-looking utility vehicle Mahindra Thar in the National Capital, on Tuesday.
The car is available at the ex-showroom price of Rs 5.99 lakh in New Delhi. Earlier this month, domestic auto giant Tata Motors had announced to hike the cost of its portfolio vehicles by up to 1.5 percent, starting for January 1st, 2011. However, recently launched multi utility vehicle (MUV) Aria and small car Tata Nano have been exempted from this hike. The car biggies like Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Maruti Suzuki India, General Motors India and Hyundai India have already announced to hike the price of their respective portfolio vehicles from next month.
Mahindra launches Thar CRDe in New Delhi
The Indian auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra launched retro-looking sports utility vehicle – Thar CRDe – in the National Capital on Tuesday at an ex-showroom price of Rs.5.99 lakh. The new Mahindra Thar CRDe is rolled out as a life style motor vehicle and has been targeted at retro-style-seekers and off-road enthusiasts. Speaking on the occasion, M&M’s Chief executive (automotive division), Rajesh Jejurikar, said, "Having realized the potential of this emerging segment of off-road enthusiasts and lifestyle seekers, we have launched the Thar. The Thar is an extension of our legacy and what Mahindra stands for.
Popular amongst generations of off-road enthusiasts, style seekers and even war-veterans, not many vehicles share the same legendary past and iconic status of the Mahindra Thar" Sporting a 2.5L diesel engine, Mahindra Thar is capable of generating a peak with maimum power of 105 bhp with a maximum torque of 247 Nm. The powerful engine of Thar comes mated with a five speed manual transmission gearbox along and highly sophisticated Borg Warner - Manual Shift transfer case that offers a two-speed gear reduction (HIGH 1.0:1, LOW 2.48:1). The company has said that the Thar model will be rolled-out in the rest of the country in January 2011. It was initially launched in the Mumbai city, last week.
Mahindra Stallio Great Indian Ride reaches Nagpur
Mahindra 2 Wheelers has recently entered into the bike section and introduced its consumers with two new models, Mahindra Stallio and Mahindra Mojo. The company promises quality and efficiency emotionally concerned to the appealing bikes. The corporation organised a impressive public gathering with its Mahindra Stallio which reached Nagpur for its finale depicting the manipulate for safe riding. The public gathering consisted of 20 bikers who started from four different corners of the state i.e. from Manali in North, Gangtok in East, Goa in West and Kanyakumari in South India.
Starting the rally from 22nd November, bikers were divided into four different teams consisting of 5 riders every and as per schedule enclosed a total coldness of 24,000 km. every side have been assigned a support team that is to help the riders as per their wants The team reaching Nagpur received a warm welcome and shared their adventurous experiences which they also captured in their cameras. Mahindra Stallio is a complete package of alluring and fashionable designs with sporty and rocky features. With an engine capacity of 107.6 cc, it is to depict high power and speed assuring better stability and control. Mahindra 2 Wheelers makes the bike best in its segment inculcating it with advanced and most well-organized features.
Mahindra Thar Launch Live On FB
The Mahindra Thar was launched in South Africa and Italy earlier this year and will be launched in India today. To cater to Thar fans, Mahindra will be telecasting the laun
ch LIVE at 11 am on the Thar Facebook page. Mahindra Thar is powered by a 2.5 litre CRDe engine which develops maximum power of 105 Bhp at 3800 rpm and minimum torque of 247 Nm at 1800 rpm. A ground clearance of 200mm, four wheel drive and a fully articulated suspension means that the Mahindra Thar meets all the off roading criteria enthusiasts were so hoping for.
Mahindra Jeep like a true blue off roader will seat just two persons. The engine is coupled with a five speed manual gear box. Mahindra Thar can easily impress 4×4 lovers who don’t want shell out their hard earned money in gas guzzling machines. The suspension of Mahindra Thar hard is better than it’s earlier versions, thanks to independent torsion bar mechanism in front and leaf spring and shock absorber combo in rear.
Mahindra Auto Quotient Is Back
The Mahindra Auto Quotient show is a 1st of its kind, pan-India auto quiz. The initiative is Mahindra s endeavor to promote young automotive talent in India. Earlier 2010, it won ‘The Best Game Show/Quiz Show’ at the 2010 Indian Television Academy Awards. This year the Mahindra AQ will be aired on India’s leading English news channel, NDTV 24×7. The first edition of the quiz was held in 2009 received an enthusiastic response from engineering students all over the country with over 7500 registrations. This year there was an overwhelming 15,000 registrations.
The 2010 Mahindra Auto Quotient had five teams competing in each of the Zonal (North-South-East-West) rounds. Of these four teams were students from engineering colleges while the 5th was representing a B-school in the zone. One winner from each zonal round was selected to go on to the ‘Grand Finale’. The Winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to the ‘Geneva International Auto show.’ (The largest auto show in the world). The first runner-up team will win a chance to go ‘Dune Bashing’ in Dubai. The second and third runners-up will participate in the ‘Mahindra Great Escape.’
Mahindra Reva Plans to Sell 2500 Electric Cars Next Year
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Private Ltd. is aiming to sell cars in the Indian market by next years, a top company official said. The company is expecting the Reva sales to reach 1200 units this fiscal ending march 2011, Mahindra Reva General Manager (Marketing) Pawan Sachdeva said. Mahindra Reva’s new plant at Bangalore would go on stream by April in 2011 and it would have a production capacity of 30,000 vehicles per annum, he said. The present capacity of the existing plant is 1200 to 1500 cars per month.
The Indian company is also exporting the Reva to various other countries including UK, Norway, Spain and France. It is also working on a four seater model of cars, which would be ready by 2012. With fuel prices increasing every day, the future lies with electric and hybrid car like Prius, Civic hybrid. The objective of the foray is to get into sustainable and environment friendly transport system, he said. The company is also expecting the Kerala government would give tax incentives for the environmental friendly car.
Mahindra will launch the Thar this month
If you thought 2010 is dead for auto fanatics, think again. Two major launches will unfold this month, the first one is the BMW X1 which we reported on this afternoon, and the second one is an equally interesting and important vehicle – the Mahindra Thar. On its Official Facebook page about an hour ago, it was revealed that Mahindra will launch the Thar by the end of 2010. Though no specific details were shared, we assume the Thar will come out during Christmas.
The Thar has captured the imagination of off-roading enthusiasts in India. Its looks and features have gone down well with the general public. Testimony to that is the 39k+ fans on its Facebook page which is seeing heavy activity from audience.
Mahindra showcased the Thar at the Auto Expo 2010. It has already commenced exports, and it is now India’s turn to gain access to a rugged and modern off-roader. High traction 16 inch tires with the help of leaf springs at the rear and independent suspension with torsion and stabilizer bars ensure unlimited off-roading.
Mahindra launches Reva-i in Pune
Mahindra has announced that the Revai electric automobile will be available at four dealerships in Pune. The Revai offers a 'boost' mode for better acceleration and power, and a 'hill restraint' function to help deal with slopes better. Top speed is 80kmph and 40kmph comes up in 7 seconds. The Mahindra Reva-i retails at Rs 3.1 lakh, ex-showroom Pune for the Standard variant.
Mahindra India finance will now offer Revai customers a plan under which the purchaser pays an interest-free refundable deposit of Rs 1 lakh, followed by monthly instalments of Rs 7999 for three years. At the end of the 3 years, the purchaser can either remain using the vehicle and forfeit the initial deposit of Rs 1 lakh, or return the car and get their deposit back. This is a good way to draw more customers into experiencing the Reva without having to fear about resale value or maintenance expense once the battery pack has to be replaced.