Mahindra Maps Strategic LHD Push, Prepares Global SUV and Pickup Rollout From 2027

Mahindra & Mahindra has outlined one of the most significant global expansion initiatives in its history, detailing a phased entry into new right-hand-drive (RHD) markets and, for the first time, left-hand-drive (LHD) regions in Europe as part of its long-term scale-up plan.

At its Investor Day on November 20, the company said upcoming SUVs and pickups developed on the NU_IQ and INGLO platforms will be engineered for global crash, emissions and software norms, forming the base of a wider international rollout beginning 2027. These platforms will support both internal combustion and electric models, allowing Mahindra to address multiple regulatory environments with a unified product architecture.

Mahindra said its performance in South Africa has strengthened confidence in accelerating its overseas strategy. The company has maintained one of the most stable and visible positions for an Indian OEM in the region through consistent SUV and pickup demand, improving after-sales capability and a network that has supported multi-year growth.

The company sees a similar opportunity in Australia and New Zealand, where lifestyle SUVs and pickups command a large share of the market. Mahindra believes product attributes such as durability, off-road capability and competitive pricing align well with customer expectations in these two RHD markets. The planned rollout of the next-generation Global Pik Up is expected to support deeper penetration in both countries.

As part of its expanded global footprint, the company will also strengthen its presence in the UK. The next phase of the strategy includes Mahindra’s first LHD foray into continental Europe, enabled by INGLO-based electric SUVs engineered for dual steering configurations and aligned with European safety and software requirements. The company’s design and engineering centres in India, the UK and Italy have been integrated to develop a unified product pipeline suited for global markets.

Mahindra expects the globalisation programme to contribute materially to its target of achieving 8× growth in consolidated SUV revenue between FY20 and FY30, supported by a larger addressable market and wider geographical coverage.

Domestic market-share gains in the ICE SUV segment and a strong product cycle provide the base for this expansion, with India continuing to serve as Mahindra’s primary development and cost-competitive hub for global vehicle platforms.