Mahindra & Mahindra shows off all-new Blazo smart truck range

Home-grown automaker Mahindra & Mahindra today unveiled its new range of medium and heavy commercial vehicles branded Blazo at the ongoing Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi.

Labelling it as the first smart truck in the country, M&M hopes that the new modern range of trucks aids the company in gaining market share in the segment dominated by Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.

The Blazo M&HCV range comprises of tippers and trucks starting from 25 tonneS till the range-topping 49-tonne variants. Equipped with the fuel smart technology for optimal performance, the Blazo range provides drivers with options between turbo, heavy and light modes.

With the introduction of the Blazo range, M&M hopes to significantly increase its M&HCV market share, which currently stands at 3.4 percent. The company is a recent entrant in the segment and has invested close to Rs 700 crore in expanding its truck and bus division.

With the Blazo, M&M is claiming class-leading fuel efficiency and also assures that it would accept returns if customers are not happy with the performance of the trucks. Alongside, the company will also provide roadside assistance for the new range.

Speaking to Autocar Professional, Nalin Mehta, MD and CEO, M&M Trucks and Bus Division, said: "We have developed the new range over the last two-and-a-half years with significant investments. We guarantee that if the customer is not happy with the fuel efficiency, we will take the vehicle back. This itself is a testament of our confidence in the new range and it truly will be a game-changer."

Speaking about M&M's plans to expand the truck and bus division, Mehta reiterated that the company is developing intermediary commercial vehicles of capacities between 9-16 tonnes and the launch would happen in the next two years.

"We are continuously investing in the truck and bus division and are getting aggressive in this space, we are in for the long end and will be a full range player," Mehta said.

M&M also showcased hydrogen-powered hybrid buses at the expo and the company is also focusing on other alternate fuels such as biodiesel apart from manufacturing CNG-powered buses.

Speaking about the 2020 deadline for the implementation of BS VI norms, Mehta said that all Mahindra trucks and buses are capable of complying with the new norms and added that the company is confident of successfully meeting the deadline as well.