Mahindra has big ambitions for Australia over the next five to 10 years, with a raft of new models coming and plans to be a top 10 brand by 2030.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are key markets for the Indian auto manufacturer and one of the brand’s ambitions to is to become a household name synonymous with quality, affordable family vehicles.
Speaking to media at Mahindra Research Valley in India, Joydeep Moitra, the head of Mahindra’s international automotive division, said that plans are underway to rapidly expand in right-hand drive markets like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“We would definitely want to be a household brand and a well respected [and] admired SUV and youth brand in Australia and be amongst the top 10 by 2030,” he said.
“And we believe we will have the right set of products with ICE [internal combustion engine] as well as with electric vehicles. We will have an excellent dealer channel that will support in establishing the brand and obviously we will build the brand in Australia with local activations also.”
In addition to a new global pickup coming within the next three years, Mahindra will launch an onslaught of affordable electric vehicles with a mix of sedans, hatches and SUVs.
Mahindra’s work in electric vehicles is understood to be supported by BYD battery cells and a partnership with Volkswagen that sees the German brand supply electric motors.
A focus on safety has also resulted in both the Mahindra Scorpio and XUV700 scoring five-star adult occupant safety ratings in Global NCAP crash testing.
Work was well underway at Mahindra Research Valley – the brand’s research and development area located near Chennai, India – on a number of electric vehicle products, battery cell and motor testing and prototype evaluation.
