Mahindra Group to drive two-wheeler business growth with new R&D centre

July 4, 2012: Mahindra 2 Wheelers inaugurated its new R&D Centre in Pune earlier today. The Rs 100 crore facility was inaugurated by Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group. It is reliably learnt the Mahindra Group plans to invest Rs 500 crore in Mahindra 2 Wheelers over the next five years and has targeted a Rs 20,000 crore turnover from the two-wheeler business by 2020. The centre has received recognition from the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) and will enable Mahindra 2 Wheelers to undertake in-house design and development of engine technology for its products. The company also unveiled two new engines developed at the facility: a 110cc engine and a 300cc liquid-cooled engine.

“The new dedicated facility will enable us to harness the technology of the future to create tomorrow’s products. It will allow us to design in India, for the discerning Indian consumer. The micro hybrid technology developed for the new Duro DZ scooter is a clear validation of the value it offers the business. I am sure we will see this R&D facility emerge as a symbol of Indian ingenuity,” said Anand Mahindra.

Staffed by over 175 engineers and designers, the R&D facility has helped develop the new Duro DZ and the recently launched Rodeo RZ with the all-new ‘Z’ series engine. This engine series incorporates Dual Curve Digital Ignition (DCDI) technology and patented fuel level indication system.

“The R&D Centre will provide us with the dual benefits of indigenous design at lower costs and shortened product development lifecycles. These two tangible benefits, when coupled with a considerably shortened go-to-market strategy with newer and more technologically superior products, augurs well for the future of the business. Mahindra 2 Wheelers is set to launch three new motorcycles in this financial year,” said Anoop Mathur, president – two-wheeler sector.

Commenting on the direct and indirect benefits of the new R&D centre, P S Ashok, Head – R&D, Mahindra 2 Wheelers, said: “This multi-faceted R&D facility boasts of truly advanced facilities in the two-wheeler industry in India including a design studio, prototyping centre, Engine Development Center (EDC), CAE/CFD facility, fatigue test and reliability lab, and an electrical and electronics lab. The centre will develop prototypes and components from design through to production, which will then be transferred to the company’s brand new production lines at our Pithampur plant.”