Mahindra Group opens GenZe electric two-wheeler plant in Michigan

On April 15 this year, Autocar Professional broke the news about the Mahindra Group developing the all-new GenZe electric two-wheeler, which has been designed, engineered and manufactured in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Less than a month later, the Mahindra Group inaugurated the Mahindra GenZe manufacturing facility and the Mahindra North American Technical Center (MNATC) in Southeast Michigan, USA. The GenZe plant has the capacity to assemble up to 9,000 vehicles per annum, with the ability to ramp up to 20,000 vehicles if needed.

Speaking at the opening of the plant yesterday, Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, said: “Michigan provided us the perfect eco-system to step up our US presence. We were able to draw on the terrific automotive engineering and manufacturing talent available in the state, to create industry leading initiatives for the United States. The North American Technical Center and GenZe represent important disruptive product incubators for the Mahindra Group. Constant innovation focused on improving the lives of our consumers, employees and the communities they impact is at the core of Mahindra’s ‘Rise’ philosophy and we are delighted to see this come to fruition in the United States.”

“We welcome global leaders like Mahindra to Michigan and applaud them for their product and engineering leadership. Hi-tech green manufacturing and R&D has been the cornerstone of our partnership and job creation initiatives and we are pleased to have the Mahindra brand grow its US presence from Michigan,” said Michigan governor Rick Snyder.

The Mahindra Group says the GenZe is the only two-wheeled electric vehicle of its kind in the United States. Targeted at students and urban commuters, the GenZe offers ease of travel, specialised storage and a range of 30 miles/50 kilometres with many industry first features. With the top speed set at 30mph/50kph, there is no need for a motorcycle license to operate the GenZe in most states in the US.

Commenting on the product reveal, Vish Palekar, CEO, Mahindra GenZe, said: “We are excited to unveil the GenZe by Mahindra as the first electric urban two-wheeler designed and manufactured in the United States. The GenZe is conceived for students and urban commuters who are desperate to break free from congestion, tired of increasing gas prices, and the lack of convenient parking. With industry leading utility and connectivity features including the ability to charge anywhere on the go, the GenZe is the perfect lifestyle empowering vehicle for the American consumer.”

Meanwhile, MNATC will be focused on providing Mahindra with globally competitive product designs and technologies in support of its future product portfolio. Presently staffed with more than 40 engineers with complete vehicle engineering design capabilities, the expertise and capabilities of the MNATC will be key to helping develop automotive platforms for Mahindra’s global markets.

“The MNATC is delivering on its promise of world-class product development as we take on complex global programs. Utilising the automotive talent available here in Southeast Michigan, we’re putting together a truly exceptional team of automotive professionals to meet Mahindra’s future product development needs,” said Rick Haas, COO, Mahindra MNATC. He added, “We are delighted with the opening of our expanded technical center that provides us the infrastructure to design, engineer and prototype industry leading products and solutions for Mahindra’s global customer base.”