M&M developing 4 platforms

Mahindra Research Valley here, the group’s $16.2-billion research wing, is developing four new platforms for small and light commercial vehicles and utility vehicles. The company is also planning to set up a test track for tractors.

Pawan Goenka, executive director and president of automotive & farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, told Business Standard the company would start launching vehicles on the new platforms in 2015.

“It will take three to three-and-a-half years to launch the product, which will take on Tata’s offerings,” said Goenka. He refused to share any other details on the new platforms.

The research centre designs anything below three-and-a-half tonnes, while the Pune centre designs platforms for vehicles above that weight.

The company is planning to launch new products to cater the farm equipment sectors. It plans to double its from this segment in two years from Rs 250 crore now.

“We have been a small player and now we have put in lot of focus on the harvester and transplanter,” he said.

“Truly this is centre of excellence, besides bringing out new innovative products, this centre also helps to shorten the development cycle,” he said.

All Mahindra's tractor and automobiles (except truck and two-wheelers) are being developed here.

The lush green valley spread over 124 acres, of which 25 acres were used to set up the design lab and workshops, is located inside Mahindra World City, home to like BMW, Timken and Husky.

Products developed here include XUV500, Quanto, Verito and Arjun 605 tractor.

The company has invested Rs 600 crore in this centre apart from Rs 1,000 crore needed develop a product, said Goenka.

With 2,500 engineers, the five-year-old centre has so far filed 250 patents in India & 50 abroad and made 150 design registration in India & 50 abroad.

The centre will soon have a test track for tractors and a technical academy.