M&M set to launch green SUVs in US by early 2009

Cashing in on the growing fad for green vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), plans to launch its fuel-efficient SUVs in the US by early 2009.

"We are planning to launch our commercial vehicles in the US but we are not ready yet to share the exact date of launch," Mahindra Group Vice-Chairman Anand Mahindra told reporters here.

The Mahindra diesel SUVs have already cleared the tests and fulfilled the stringent emission norms in the US, he said, adding the announcement of the launch would be made shortly.

M&M already sells tractors in the US.

To a question if people there prefer smaller vehicles, Mahindra said Americans are not against large vehicles but are increasingly averse to fuel guzzlers that are not eco-friendly.

"They want fuel efficiency so that they can be guilt-free of not polluting the environment," Mahindra said.

He said that the company was also gearing up to introduce vehicles that could run on bio-diesel, diesel-electric hybrids and other green vehicles.

"We are ready to launch bio-diesel vehicles in India," he said, adding, "whenever the government gears itself to make available bio-diesel, we will be ready with our vehicles."

Mahindra said that it is not true to say that diesel vehicles cause pollution but it is the quality of fuel used that is critical.